In response to the first of your four health care editorials, I offer a two-part letter. I will point out a significant factual error and your overt bias, which, to say it nicely, suffers a dearth of honesty.

You illustrate your bias using words and phrases like "widespread," "deep consequences," "best," etc. For example, there are deep consequences if we do nothing. Show us the facts and make complete comparisons, rather than telling us what to think. If it does in fact have the quality you say it does, we'll come to that conclusion on our own.

Among the best?

Our health care does not "rank among the best in the world." Among industrialized nations, we consistently rank near the bottom. Those resisting change dismiss these ranks with circular reasoning, letting our health care industry off the hook for our poor health because we're unhealthy. Our bad habits, however, do not explain the "epidemic" of medical errors, also known as "patient safety incidents." Numerically, we're ranked third, right after China and India.

The AMA has also affected a physicians shortage, preserving high wages, which is yet another poor ranking. The opponents of reform also point to satisfaction polls, as though patients are heart by-pass tourists sampling care in other countries, but when you ask them if reforms are needed, Americans are the most likely to tell you that our system needs "significant changes."

To summarize: Too few doctors, relying too much on too many expensive tests, because they don't have time, and making too many mistakes. By most rankings, our health care system is dismal, but at least our system's cost is ranked highest.