The Story Behind HMO Survey
While California businesses have pushed hundreds of thousands of workers into HMOs and other managed-care plans during the last few years to save money, apparently many of those business leaders are uneasy about the quality of health care delivered through such plans.
A recent survey of business executives by the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Business Roundtable found that although 46% of executives have a “favorable impression” of managed care,” 47% had an “unfavorable impression.”
But you wouldn’t have known that from reading an Oct. 30 news release issued by the two business groups. The release mentioned only the favorable rating. It’s no secret that the Chamber of Commerce has been a strong supporter of the HMO industry and has opposed most consumer protection legislation aimed at managed care.
The omission of the unfavorable rating for managed care was noticed by state Sen. Herschel Rosenthal (D-Los Angeles), a frequent industry critic. Rosenthal accused the business groups of trying to put a positive “spin” on negative findings.
Nonsense, said Business Roundtable President William Hauck of Rosenthal’s criticism. “We weren’t trying to spin it in any respect,” he said.
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Times staff writer David Olmos can be reached by fax at (213) 237-7837 or by e-mail at david.olmos@latimes.com
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