Bending the cost curve … upward and other letters

Regarding the story "Most federally run exchanges will offer more plans, lower premiums than expected, HHS report shows" (ModernHealthcare.com, Sept. 25), I find it amazing that you reported what HHS said with no questions and no analysis. Who cares that the costs were lower than expected. Isn't the key what the cost will be compared to what the cost is for consumers now?

How about the detailed and rigorous study by the CMS that just came out in the past few weeks? Didn't that study (confirming what they found in 2010) demonstrate that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will bend the cost curve of healthcare up between now and 2022?

Paul Karp

AttorneyWilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & DickerNew York

Regarding "Licensing issues could slow telehealth services" (ModernHealthcare.com, Sept. 23), while licensing does take time, don't forget credentialing. This can take additional time once the proper license is obtained. All physicians providing telehealth services for clinics or hospitals should undergo the same credentialing and privileging process as physicians who are on-site, including review and approval by the governing body of the clinic or hospital. They should be required to maintain the same malpractice insurance coverage levels as on-site physicians and they should also be subject to ongoing peer review.

Dr. Jack Egnatinsky

Medical directorAccreditation Association for Ambulatory Health CareSkokie, Ill.