LETTERS

Re: “Health Net settles suits on rescissions,” Feb. 12:

The story understates an issue that has been a huge problem in the healthcare arena. As a family physician for 47 years, I’ve had numerous delays and rejections from insurance companies. Rescissions are only one part of the problem.

Most healthcare providers are aware that the for-profit insurance industry doesn’t function in the best interests of the patient. The time is overdue for a not-for-profit, universal, single-payer program, such as Medicare, for all residents.

This is not a call for “socialized medicine.” Single-payer, like Medicare, would utilize the existing healthcare system -- the same doctors, hospitals, laboratories, etc. But every resident would be equally covered and nobody would be rejected because of a prior condition.

Melvin H. Kirschner, M.D.

Granada Hills