Court on Patient Care at Kaiser Permanente

* Re “HMO Trend Demands Eagle-Eyed State Oversight,” by Jamie Court, Commentary, Jan. 15:

The Kaiser Foundation Health Plan is indeed a nonprofit organization, and the “profits” Court discusses so glibly are plowed right back into the health plan to benefit the members through new technology, upgraded facilities and expanded services. According to the California Medical Assn.’s analysis of various public financial filings, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan spends 96.8% of every dollar on actual medical care--more than any other California health plan.

Court’s allegation that health care prevention is barely mentioned in our business plan is patently false--the document contains page after page of highly ambitious clinical goals and programs planned or in progress regarding pediatric immunization, prenatal care, mammogram screening rates, education programs for diabetics, smoking cessation, cholesterol testing, quality and utilization, occupational health services, HIV/AIDS, etc.

The shared mission of the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and the Southern California Permanente Medical Group--better known collectively as Kaiser Permanente--is to provide quality health care that people can afford. I am offended that someone in the guise of “consumer advocate” would misrepresent us, our track record, and our efforts.

OLIVER GOLDSMITH MD

Medical Director

Chairman of the Board

Southern California Permanente Medical Group

* Your anti-HMO (read anti-Kaiser) piece was in no way reflective of the Kaiser my family and I have belonged to for over 30 years. We have no trouble getting either appointments or referrals; in fact, many departments at Kaiser are self-referral.

Because of chronic sinus problems, I have seen an ENT doctor at least twice a month for many years. I asked him if he’s ever been told he sees me too often and his answer was that he can see me every day if he wants to. If he wants to prescribe a drug that is not on the formulary, he writes a prescription using an exception pad.

I have had doctors voluntarily give me their home phone numbers, send me articles, e-mails and faxes, and call me to ask about my mother (not a Kaiser member) after she had a heart attack. I’m not a special patient; these are human, caring physicians.

JUDITH R. BIRNBERG

Sherman Oaks