Your recent article about Caltstar’s $17,000 charge for a
transport to San Jose quoted a
”
spokeswoman
”
for Saint Louise Hospital implying these excessive charges do
not impact what local businesses pay for health insurance for their
employees.
Editor,
Your recent article about Caltstar’s $17,000 charge for a transport to San Jose quoted a “spokeswoman” for Saint Louise Hospital implying these excessive charges do not impact what local businesses pay for health insurance for their employees. This was a public relations individual, not a benefits manager.
As one of the leading brokers in California, these high charges are passed back to local businesses and paid for with higher premiums. Hazel Hawkins Hospital, and almost all of the local physicians, have contracted very reasonable discounts in partnership with Blue Cross and other health plans to keep the cost of health care affordable. It is absurd to conclude what we pay for health care will not increase when a provider like Calstar charges such excessive prices above its competitors.
Rick Shelton, Shelton Insurance
