Kaiser Investment in Tobacco Was Greedy

For years I’ve been critical of the HMO/managed-care philosophy. It seemed to be a sure-fire loser for the individual consumer to pit health care against an institutionalized profit motive. However, even I didn’t think that a major HMO, Kaiser Permanente, would be so greedy as to invest in the tobacco industry (“Kaiser Getting Rid of Tobacco Investments,” June 26).

Just because Kaiser is not violating any law by investing in Philip Morris Cos. does not excuse Kaiser’s conduct. Words like hypocritical, irresponsible and amoral come to mind to describe Kaiser’s callousness.

BETTY ROME

Culver City