Insurance Brokers

I read Jamie Court’s unfair criticism of insurance agents’ and brokers’ role in the health care delivery system (Commentary, Oct. 12) and must point out what that role is. Court neglects to say that the role of the broker is to provide real consumer advocacy on behalf of both employers and employees alike. The insurance broker is the first line of defense for patients who have unsatisfactory treatment by either their HMO, medical group, or personal physician. I and others like me provide the type of advocacy that makes 86% of the insured consumers say in survey after survey that they are satisfied with their insurance.

Court will not be happy until we are all required to participate in a government system and its “one size fits all” approach to health care. Socialized systems all over the world are the most inefficient, sterile and costly, which has led to an explosion of private health insurance sales throughout Europe. Granted, there are problems in our system. But we do, as Americans, still have the very best health care options the world has to offer.

JEFF MILES

Venice