THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 21, 1994 TAG: 9408190027
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 29 lines
A majority of Americans, like myself, are probably confused by all the talks, discussions and disagreements concerning health-care reform. But perhaps the most confusing and most frightening is the concern over quality.
Most of the doctors I have heard on television complain that if health-care reform is enacted, quality will go down. If health-care reform, which is supposed to lower costs, is implemented, does it mean doctors don't have to do their best because they feel they won't receive the payment for their services that they feel they deserve?
A doctor's first concern should be the welfare of the patient. Too many Americans can't afford routine medical care as it is. But if they also have to worry about second-rate treatment, they will be in the same or a worse dilemma than they have now.
I do agree with the basic premise of health-care reform, but the public should not receive lower quality to achieve lower cost.
SUZANNE ZELEHOSKI
Chesapeake, Aug. 12, 1994 by CNB