Doctors Refusing to Treat Patients

I believe Restak exposes only his own bigotry and prejudice against people with AIDS. Until his statement, every rationale I had seen advanced for denying medical treatment was based on fears of contagion. And every leading medical and public health body has refused to support that argument.

Restak states that “patients who arouse strongly negative reactions in a doctor don’t belong under the care of that doctor.” One may be able to support his statement on a case by case basis, but I believe it is reprehensible to use this argument to deny a whole class of people medical treatment (as of December, 1987, over 50,000 Americans had been diagnosed with AIDS.)

NORMAN G. LOPEZ

Director, National

Volunteer Counseling Program

for People With AIDS/ARC

West Hollywood