Re: “Medicare Advantage plans often deny needed care, federal report finds” [April 27, Nation & World]:
The article fails to mention that the basic reason for inappropriate denials of service by private insurers is the profit motive.
Human services are best delivered by not-for-profit organizations dedicated to service rather than to stockholders or bottom-line watchers. Making health care providers jump through hoops with their patients often works to make the words “I give up” sound like the ring of a cash register.
This will not change as long as we continue to have fee-for-service health care.
Frank Mitchell, M.D., Seattle (retired)