HMO Oversight

* Your Jan. 23 editorial regarding HMOs cites several options for changing HMO oversight. The Department of Corporations has failed miserably in overseeing the HMOs. Officials levied only one fine several years ago. Now suddenly, the department issues 43 fines in the amount of pennies a patient. That’s not even chewing gum change. The HMO executives are laughing all the way to the bank after pocketing patient care money which should have been used for patient care but somehow became “profits.”

California state Sen. Herschel Rosenthal (D-Los Angeles) wants to move HMO oversight to the Department of Consumer Affairs. That’s where it belongs, so people will know who to complain to. Thus, the consumers will have someone on their side for a change.

MELVIN H. KIRSCHNER MD

Van Nuys