ALL TOO often, patients are blamed for using too many services or being too sick and driving up health care costs. A new report by the attorney general shows this is not the case (“AG finds clout of hospitals drives cost,’’ Page A1).
In their Jan. 29 story, Liz Kowalczyk and Scott Allen wrote, “Massachusetts health care costs, which are growing by 7.5 percent annually, are mostly the result of rising prices, not patients getting more imaging tests, surgery, and other procedures.’’
This critical report highlights the significance of market power in setting health care costs. It provides more confirmation that there is a systemic problem with the design of our health care structure and we need a systemic solution.
Patients cannot continue to be burdened with growing premiums, co-payments, and deductibles. Consumers are the heart of the care system and need to be treated as such.
GEORGIA MAHERAS
Boston
The writer is campaign coordinator for the Massachusetts Campaign for Better Care. 
