Third-Party Payers and Investigational Therapy

To the Editor: Hail to Antman et al. (July 7 issue)* for highlighting in print the pernicious and shortsighted attempt of third-party insurers to reduce the cost of medical care by a method that will surely increase the overall cost in the long run. Refusing to pay for care when the patient volunteers to participate in a clinical trial is bound to decrease the amount of protocol-based, peer-reviewed research. Instead, the third parties should refuse to pay for so-called innovative practice that is not part of a well-designed clinical trial. A policy of paying for good research and not for.