Someone must step in to level playing field of competing hospitals

RE "A healthcare system badly out of balance" (Page A1, Nov. 16): The anticompetitive consequence of allowing two of the most prestigious hospitals in the United States to negotiate their fees as a unit was clear to those of us who felt that this action would be detrimental to others providing high-grade healthcare in the Boston area. While others barely eke out a profit or show a loss, Partners HealthCare reports healthy yearly profits. Meanwhile, thanks to its advantage over its competitors, it demands higher reimbursements to continue to expand its economic dominance. Clearly the third-party payers cannot correct this imbalance in reimbursement, which has an adverse effect on healthcare costs throughout the Commonwealth. The impetus for change may have to come from pressure applied by others - state and national government officials.

Dr. Julian M. Aroesty
Boston
The writer is in the cardiology division at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.