I am unmoved by Dr. Richard Ratner’s complaints in the March 3 issue that he is losing money by treating managed care patients. Furthermore, I do not think that any managed care company would be concerned: I am not aware of any that has "maintenance of physician income" as part of its mission statement. On the advice of his office manager, my colleague Dr. Ratner contemplates terminating some or all of his managed care contracts. Office manager?

I don’t participate with managed care plans because they interfere with good patient care. I don’t know why anyone would participate, whatever the reimbursement rate.

Scott D. Hagaman, M.D.

Catonsville, Md.