Dear Editor,

It is still too early to tell who the ultimate winner will be, the public or Lower Keys Medical Center, in the current fight over services and billing. However, there are indications of short term winners, specifically the local print newspapers.

Both sides in the battle have taken out numerous, a dozen or more, full page ads in the Key West Citizen to promote their positions. Mariners Hospital has joined the battle, touting its four star rating as opposed to the single star rating received by Lower Keys Medical Center. Full page ads are now beginning to appear in the Keynoter.

I have no idea what it costs for a full page ad in a print newspaper, but I am sure it is substantial. And, I am also sure that it is the users of those hospitals that are footing the bills!

Larry Murray