The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Puerto Rico joined a class action lawsuit in the U.S. against the Blue Cross - Blue Shield medical plan system that includes Triple-S and Cruz Azul, under the RICO Act. The President of the College, Dr. Marissel Velazquez, announced that for many years the insurers of health plans have taken advantage of doctors forcing them into contracts and practices that aren't in the best interest of patients or the best medical practices. "In Puerto Rico this is more evident and egregious than in the U.S.," maintained Velazquez.

She emphasized that the College of Doctors is pursuing stopping many of the health plans from using coercion, the system of fraud and antipathy in order to dominate an d control the patient/physician relationship and to augment their own financial enrichment at the cost of the deterioration of the doctor/patient relationship.

Velazquez indicated that in many cases insurers attempt to impose on doctors how to care for their patients and what treatment to give them. She gave as an example a patient that needed an anesthesiologist in order to have an operation and encountered the problem that the insurer had to approve the service, which in a majority of cases it doesn't cover and the patient has to pay for it themselves.

"The quality of medical services in Puerto Rico, that are changed by health plans, that are looking for ways to cut costs and increase profits at the expense of physicians and patients," added Velazquez.

She announced that in the next weeks she will be meeting with physicians in Mayaguez, Aguadilla, San Juan and Humacao in order to inform them of the significance of "our battle to take on the challenges that we face day after day while trying to provide excellent health care guided only by the best medical practices."

For his part, Archie Lamb, co-legal counsel to the physicians, pointed out that the insurers of health services have liked to the public and private employees about their benefits, they have lied to the doctors about the payments for quality medical services, and they have fraudulently promised to patients that in the moment of most need they would be backed with the best service necessary.

"We are on alert to expand the fight to all corners of the U.S. and succeed so that patients can again believe that their doctor can provide them the care they deserve without the intervention of these profit-driven companies," expressed Lamb.

On the other side, Velazquez said that the College is not looking for monetary compensation for physicians as a result of this lawsuit. "What we are looking for is balance and justice in this system and protection of the doctor/patient relationship as well as adequate medical attention for our people."

She announced that the legal case will bring significant changes to the relations between physicians and the largest health plans in Puerto Rico. She added that this litigation will help physicians make decisions that only physicians are competent to make.

The case is similar to another recently settled in the U.S. between the physicians and Aetna and Cigna health plans. In May of 2003 they reached an agreement with Aetna with a compensation of $500 million and with Cigna for $600 million. Both insurers have had to give millions to a foundation dedicated to promote good health care.