To the editor: Columnist Robin Abcarian notes that the only mom of a kid with leukemia needed to pay $900 a month for her baby’s feeding system as a result of her insurance coverage firm, UnitedHealthcare, denied fee for it. The mom requested, “Why did this occur? May it’s a systemic problem?” (“UnitedHealthcare’s chief executive was shot dead. Why did thousands react with glee?” Opinion, Dec. 6)
As each a affected person (lined by Medicare) and a doctor, I say sure, that is positively a systemic problem.
It’s an instance of our failing, expensive medical health insurance system, one which leaves some 85 million of us uninsured or inadequately insured. We fear that we and our households will be unable to afford or get care after we want it.
I’m alarmed that insurance coverage firms, pharmaceutical producers and Wall Road sorts will foyer Congress and the president to remove my conventional Medicare protection, exchange it with a system that places earnings earlier than affected person care (suppose so-called Medicare Benefit) and thereby take away my freedom to decide on my very own medical doctors and hospitals.
Too many People are already hurting from our present system. And it’ll solely worsen until we insist on a greater system that’s common, publicly financed and not-for-profit.
Dr. Robert Vinetz, Los Angeles
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To the editor: The general public anger over medical health insurance within the wake of UnitedHealthcare Chief Government Brian Thompson’s killing brings to thoughts the frustrations I had throughout my 12-year battle with most cancers.
My fourth line of remedy of the seven I had earlier than being declared in full remission was an costly radio-immunotherapy therapy just lately permitted by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration. I obtained pre-clearance from UnitedHealthcare and underwent the therapy, which sadly failed me.
Six months later, I obtained a invoice for $85,000 as a result of the protection had been denied. Once I referred to as, the consultant instructed me that they have been instructed to disclaim all protection after the very fact when a therapy had been just lately permitted. Happily, they reversed their resolution upon my name.
As if most cancers sufferers don’t have sufficient stress from our sicknesses alone, we additionally should struggle insurance coverage firms.
Laurie S. Adami, Los Angeles
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To the editor: My hope in writing that is to let Thompson’s youngsters and family members know that not everyone is celebrating his killing. Shedding a cherished one to gun violence is horrific; I’m personally sorry for his or her loss.
I understand the frustration of these denied protection by UnitedHealthcare, however I’d encourage these posting their ideas on social media to suppose earlier than doing so. Phrases matter, and when you publish vitriol on-line, it’s there eternally.
Sharing nightmare insurance coverage tales is not going to come again to hang-out you, however sharing your glee over gun violence may not look good a couple of years from now.
Marie Puterbaugh, Redondo Seaside
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To the editor: Killing anybody is reprehensible, whether or not it’s the sort of cold-blooded assault on Thompson or when business well being insurers routinely deny or delay medically important healthcare.
This follow is their enterprise mannequin to drive file earnings, that are allegedly important to growing new services for {the marketplace}.
I’d slightly Thompson nonetheless be alive right now and such enterprise practices get replaced with an environment friendly, streamlined, publicly funded, common healthcare system that might save lives and cash.
Hopefully the incoming presidential administration’s Division of Authorities Effectivity will examine this to preserve and successfully administer our tax {dollars} in a fiscally accountable method by means of bulk buy and worth negotiations.
James Sarantinos, Los Angeles
