Response to HMO Article

Re “Income Declines as Physician Turns Away HMO Patients,” July 26.

It was interesting that in your article on HMOs you mentioned Dr. Mike Sparkuhl. On April 30, Dr. Sparkuhl saved my life. He operated on me for a ruptured appendix, there was a massive infection and it was a very serious problem. Since I also have diabetes and some other problems, I do owe him my life.

I am sure there are problems with HMOs, which you seem to feel are very common. But I want to talk about my experiences, all positive, with HMOs for more than 30 years.

I would not be here if I had depended on some of the doctors I saw before my joining the HMO system. My insurance only paid 80% of the doctor’s bill. I paid 100% of the prescriptions as well as all X-rays, etc. Now I pay anywhere from $5 to $15. I would also like to call attention to my family doctor, C. Wesley Cho. In the time I have been in his care, I have had X-rays, blood tests, MRIs and laser surgery. He is not hesitant to prescribe the correct medication.

If you are not receiving the care you think you should be receiving, then you should discuss this with your doctor or, better yet, change doctors. Although there are problems in the system, you can still find dedicated doctors and I think they deserve recognition. I doubt that the medical problems will ever go away because some people demand more than they need. But there has been so much complaining that I really want to share my experience, which has been most positive.

WILLIAM F. LANGLEY, Oxnard