LETTERS: EXPERIENCE WITH HMO SHOWED SOME PITFALLS

To the editor:

As a member of a health-maintenance organization and a retired state of California employee, I will point out one of the dangers of HMOs. The one in California got the state to agree that members would go to arbitration rather than file malpractice lawsuits. This was touted as a cost-saving factor. Then when the HMO failed to provide services, the attorneys for the HMO caused so many problems for the members that the state set up a special section in the Department of Corporations to handle complaints.

Also, the HMO offered cash bonuses to its doctors to keep patients out of hospitals, no matter how, usually with drug therapy.

HUGH McDONOUGH

Chaffee