The Wall Street Journal
Health Insurers' Profits
December 13, 2004; Page A17
One glaring omission from your article "Health Spending Continues to Rise at a Fast Pace1" (Dec. 2) is the contribution of health insurance companies' soaring profits to the detriment of our health-care system. Aetna's net income rose 38% last quarter and its CEO and president received combined compensation of approximately $29 million last year, according to American Medical News. Meanwhile, the company has increased premiums and co-payments while reimbursing physicians at or below Medicare rates. Consumers, employers and health-care providers are suffering at the expense of insurance companies and will continue to do so until public awareness of this problem rises.
Mary Talley Bowden, M.D.
Houston
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