President Bush's health-care vision

George Bush expresses concern about the loss of consumer control in a national health-insurance program. But what do we have now?

During the last decade, when the number of Americans unable to afford medical insurance rose dramatically, the Senate Committee on Aging found that the cost of medicine increased three times as fast as other retail items. Last year alone, when United States automakers had record losses, and the average Fortune 500 company made only 4.5 percent profit on sales, 10 major drug companies had an average profit of 15.5 percent. Where's the control we might lose? Diana Morley, Napa, Calif.

Letters are welcome. Only a selection can be published, subject to condensation, and none acknowledged. Please address them to "Readers Write," One Norway St., Boston, MA 02115.