Editorial: Well-intentioned plan bites the dust

The medical association's managed care company, California Advantage, failed after just two and a half years. A number of reasons were cited for the failure of the company -- the inability to get physicians to invest enough in the company and the fact that the plan seemed to get those who were sickest and, in turn, the costliest to treat. "It was a noble and worthy venture," Dr. Jack C. Levin, a family physician who is executive director of the 28,000-member association, told the New York Times. "Everybody liked the philosophy of putting patients first and profits second."

Despite the best of intentions, HMOs run by bean counters and not by physicians, once again have emerged victorious. It is all the more reason why it's vital for Congress to pass the patient-protection rights legislation advocated by President Clinton. If left unchecked, HMOs will continue to whittle away at the quality of medical care that patients receive.

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