To the editor: Columnist Robin Abcarian notes that the only mom of a kid with leukemia needed to pay $900 a month for her youngster’s feeding machine as a result of her insurance coverage firm, UnitedHealthcare, denied fee for it. The mom requested, “Why did this occur? Might or not it’s a systemic subject?” (“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 subject.
It’s an instance of our failing, pricey medical 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 Avenue varieties will foyer Congress and the president to remove my conventional Medicare protection, exchange it with a system that places income earlier than affected person care (assume 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 except 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 insurance within the wake of UnitedHealthcare Chief Govt 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 not too long ago authorized 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 advised me that they had been instructed to disclaim all protection after the very fact when a therapy had been not too long ago authorized. Fortuitously, they reversed their resolution upon my name.
As if most cancers sufferers don’t have sufficient stress from our diseases alone, we additionally must combat insurance coverage corporations.
Laurie S. Adami, Los Angeles
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To the editor: My hope in writing that is to let Thompson’s kids and family members know that not all people is celebrating his killing. Shedding a beloved one to gun violence is horrific; I’m personally sorry for his or her loss.
I notice the frustration of these denied protection by UnitedHealthcare, however I might encourage these posting their ideas on social media to assume 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 number of years from now.
Marie Puterbaugh, Redondo Seashore
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To the editor: Killing anybody is reprehensible, whether or not or not it’s the form of cold-blooded assault on Thompson or when business well being insurers routinely deny or delay medically important healthcare.
This apply is their enterprise mannequin to drive document income, that are allegedly important to creating new services for {the marketplace}.
I might somewhat 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 value negotiations.
James Sarantinos, Los Angeles
