Health Care Initiative

Our entire health care system is in collapse, not just our emergency services (“Health Care for All--With Limits: To Avert a System Collapse, We Must Define a Basic Package,” by Brian Johnston, Op-Ed Page, July 25).

While Health Access agrees that the major reason behind the collapse is the increase in costs, we cannot overlook that portion of the increase which comes fromthe tremendous waste and inefficiency in our current health care “system.”

While frivolous “health care,” such as hair transplants, need not be publicly funded, we would like to see the areas of unnecessary procedures, empty hospital beds and medical supply inflation addressed before we deny lifesaving procedures to only one segment of society--the poor.

If we’re going to use the “R” word--rationing--let’s include our entire society and not just those who require public assistance. Let’s discuss rational planning of all our health care resources instead of sitting in judgment about which poor shall live or die.

Health Access has worked for years to encourage responsible health care legislation and to monitor its implementation.

This governor and the current Legislature, however, have not been able to solve our health care crisis. For this reason, Health Access is preparing for a health care initiative in 1990.

We have pulled together the best health care policy-makers in the state to help our coalition fashion a well-considered proposal, one that is now being discussed with representatives from the state’s hospital and medical associations, insurance companies and businesses. We believe it is important to try and avoid the confusing situation of 1988, with five auto insurance initiatives on the ballot.

An interesting omission was made in Dr. Johnston’s call for a panel to address health care costs and uncompensated care--consumers.

It is for this reason that Health Access, a statewide consumer voice representing over 100 organizations, was formed. We invite consumers and “victims” of our health care system to join us as activists for a change.

LYNN KERSEY

Los Angeles Coordinator

MARYANN O’SULLIVAN

Executive Director

Health Access

San Francisco