PROCEED WITH CAUTION ON HEALTH CARE

An interim study committee of the General Assembly has held a series of hearings and made 33 recommendations on how to improve managed care in our state. A co-chairman said the panel "wants something to protect the consumer, return health care to its previous standards and not raise costs much." This vague language may make him feel good, but it will have others reaching for the wallet. The same co-chairman then conceded he had no idea how much the panel's proposals would increase costs.

Lawmakers must heed the admonition contained in the Hippocratic Oath where physicians are instructed, "First, do no harm." The potential for enormous mischief in legislative mucking around in health care could hardly be greater. The health care marketplace is moving rapidly to redress perceived wrongs and inequities. This isn't an argument for doing nothing, just for proceeding cautiously and prudently.