No pushing patient to different hospital

In reference to a letter written by Jay Kacena of Marion on May 12, “St. Luke's tactics driving up health care costs” and a letter sent by Michael Shaw of Marion, “Customers should not be bullied,” May 15.

I am 89 years old, still in my right mind, for which I am very thankful, but people our age do not go well with changes, especially when it comes to doctors, health issues, etc.

I really had a wonderful cardiologist, Dr. Kopec, but I have gone to Mercy Medical Center for years and am very happy with their treatment whenever I go there.

I did have to go to St. Luke's Hospital for open heart surgery and all went well, but Mercy is my hospital of choice. Now (after Cardiologists L.C., a St. Luke's organization and tenant in the PCI Medical Pavilion, became UnityPoint Clinic-Cardiology and is not working in Mercy) I have to change cardiologists so he can see me at Mercy. I have other medical problems and at my age it really makes me mad that I have to make such a choice.

These big organizations seem to think they can force the people into their way of doing things. Sorry boys, but I'm to the point where I don't push so easily into something I am not happy with.

I'm staying with Mercy Medical Center and will do what I have to do to stay there.

Alma Roberts

Cedar Rapids