Revamp Health System to Benefit All Children

Re: “Who Will Give That Special Care?” (March 13)

The lack of adequate and timely reimbursement to Medi-Cal providers caring for children is scandalous. Perhaps now that the shortage of pediatric sub-specialists in California is beginning to affect the care of fully insured children, some pressure will be brought to bear on the state.

Unfortunately, the reimbursement for children’s services from many managed care companies is not much better than that from Medi-Cal, and a substantial proportion of children cared for by sub-specialists have no coverage at all. We must work toward a national, single-payer system to reduce the waste and corporate profits inherent in the current system and to provide adequate care for all children. It is embarrassing that in a state as wealthy and progressive as California, sick children are treated as second-class citizens.

--GERALD GOLLIN

Assistant professor

of pediatric surgery,

Loma Linda University

School of Medicine