PHYSICIANS’ PRACTICES
Response to “Hospitals buy out, cash in,” News, July 7
It is simply audacious for large hospitals, like Northside Hospital, to swallow smaller, physician-owned practices, greatly increase prices to patients, and then make outrageous claims that patients somehow benefit. The patients go to the same locations after the buy-outs, and see the same staff with no additional services, while seeing hugely increased bills.
This is not an example of free-market forces. This is a case of a huge entity dominating a service field where customers have no other place to turn. Private health insurers, who supposedly keep prices down, aid and abet this development by upping reimbursements for hospitals.
More and more, the idea that a health care system dominated by huge private entities is the best possible system is belied by the actions of these dominating corporations.
JIM GRATTAN, GRAYSON
TRANSPORTATION
Better to take a train than sit idle in traffic
I applaud your column on the interdependence of Atlanta area municipalities and the importance of regional solutions to problems, whether they apply to water issues or transportation (“Thinking about interdependence,” Opinion, July 7).
I live in Peachtree City, where the founders named our town with an eye to capturing a link with Atlanta, its business opportunities and cultural venues. I’m repeatedly disappointed to hear of people who would like to disconnect from the capital.
Light rail would bring us closer to Atlanta and all it offers: jobs, the High Museum of Art, Atlanta History Center, and the symphony, opera and the universities. Peachtree City is a fine planned community, but it doesn’t have all of that. Don’t tell me I can drive to Atlanta. The roads are packed. I want to sit on a train and read my newspaper or work on my computer.
Regarding “Single hub thinking stale” (Opinion, July 7), Peachtree City Mayor Don Haddix does not speak for me when he expresses isolationist points of view — particularly on transportation.
ELLEN HUNTER ULKEN, PEACHTREE CITY
Running on Peachtree beats riding MARTA
Running the Peachtree Road Race: priceless! Getting to the race on MARTA: ugh!
Really, is this the best we can do? It reflects badly on the city.
JIM STONE, COLUMBUS
HEALTH CARE
Federal policymakers show they’re lost at sea
The federal government’s attempt to steer the course of the health insurance industry is to freedom what steering the Titanic is to a swimming pool. The crew may eventually get the ship facing another direction, but what it rests on will no longer resemble a pool.
ALAN FOSTER, ACWORTH
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