‘New Danger to Medicare System

There is no danger to the Medicare system as long as Martin and Kathleen Feldstein keep their hands off it. Their article (Editorial Pages, Dec. 23), “Beware: New Danger to Medicare System,” was full of innuendoes that are not true. If they could, they would do away with Medicare, Social Security and any government involvement with the health, welfare, economic benefit to the citizens of this country.

They argue that under the present system patients demand too much care. I can’t imagine anyone going into the hospital or to his doctor if he didn’t need medical attention. Cannot the Feldsteins imagine that as persons get older they tend to have more medical problems and needs?

Under the present Medicare system, which now costs $17.90 per month deducted from Social Security payments, a retiree may use any doctor of his choice. Medicare then pays 80% of what it considers reasonable and customary for the area, and the retiree pays not only the 20% balance but also the cost above what is reasonable and customary. Thus a $60 office visit will cost the retiree $35.52 out of pocket, if he does not have supplemental insurance. (Medicare will pay $24, 48, 80% of $30.60 which it considers reasonable and customary for an office visit). I can’t see anyone visiting his doctor just to say “hello.”

The fear most doctors have is that elderly patients do not come in soon enough to arrest an impending illness. They don’t come because they know that Medicare will pay less than 50% of the cost of their visit. Most retires now buy supplemental insurance, which often costs upwards of $50 per month.

There are no “unnecessary medical services” unless these are provided by a physician. The current system is not Utopia but it is the best as long as our political system allows freedom in choosing a physician.

I am happy that Martin Feldstein is no longer a member of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers. Even our very conservative President realizes that sick people need adequate medical attention to get well. He wisely has called for a study on how to pay for the care of those who are struck with catastrophic illness.

The Feldsteins insult every physician I have visited the past 66 years as they intimate these doctors may have provided unnecessary medical care. Most doctors provide good to excellent care; they just charge too much.

HARRY WALD

Sherman Oaks