Opinion
Insurance industry taking resources out of our health care system
LETTER — Posted June 9, 2008
Regarding "Health plans say they'll risk losing members to protect profit margins" (Article, May 19): Your article makes it abundantly clear that the health insurance industry cares mostly for its profits and little for its subscribers. How brazen for WellPoint President and CEO Angela Braly to say, "We will not sacrifice profitability for membership."
The insurance industry is sucking resources out of our health care system in the form of excessive administrative costs, executive salaries, and dividends to stockholders, instead of using premium and investment income to provide health care. How long will our politicians allow themselves to be bought by these special interests? When will they develop the courage to enact meaningful health care reform?
David Shapiro, MD, Bethel, Conn.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/06/09/edlt0609.htm.












