Jeremy Busto: A doctor should show more compassion for poor

Re “Reasons for high ER costs” (Letters, April 1): I’m surprised this letter writer is a doctor, as the letter was lacked compassion and understanding. I understand that money has to come from somewhere to keep the hospitals open and running 24/7, but if costs are high enough to cause a rift between Blue Shield and Sutter Health, then it must be really bad. What’s not to say these excessive costs are going to fund the CEOs’ multimillion-dollar salaries, including their bonuses and golden parachutes?

I assume the letter writer, as a former medical student, was on a limited income at one point and knew what it was like to be one medical disaster away from bankruptcy. But I guess as long as he has his golf game to Pebble Beach, all’s right with the world.

This story was originally published April 6, 2015 at 1:13 PM with the headline "Jeremy Busto: A doctor should show more compassion for poor."