Letters to the Editor  Sickening profits  August 2, 2007   To
the editor:  I was appalled by the recent announcement that the
former chief executive officer of Kansas University Hospital,
who chose to leave for another opportunity, was given a $1.8
million separation package. The stated reason was to ensure she
would not hire away hospital employees or disclose confidential
information, both highly unethical activities. Just this extra
compensation would pay the salary of the average family
physician for about 13 years.  Unfortunately, this is small
potatoes in the health care industry. The compensation of the
CEO of United Healthcare was $124 million in 2005 and exceeded
$3 billion over his 12 years in that job. Such exorbitant
compensation is justified by the $3.31 billion profit his
corporation earned in 2005. Aetna - $1.635 billion profit in
2005 with CEO compensation of $22.2 million. Cigna - $1.625
billion profit with only $13.3 million going to the CEO.  If you
have not seen the movie "Sicko" by Michae