August 6, 1999

The current arrogant attitude of managed care reviewers is reminiscent of a story from Yalta toward the end of World War II when Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill were meeting to determine the fate of Eastern Europe. Churchill remarked, "What will the Pope think about Eastern European Catholics being controlled by atheistic communists?" Stalin responded, "How many divisions does the Pope have?"

We all know what ultimately happened to communism. It will be a matter of time until the present health care system collapses, along with managed care. Let's hope we live long enough to see it happen.

WILLIAM D. CLARKSON, M.D.
Salem, Va.