As consumer groups, labor unions and doctors press Congress for legislation to define patients' rights, the position of the managed-care industry has been continually evolving.

But in practice, they will set a standard for the entire managed-care industry.

The change at United does not, by any means, mean that the managed-care industry is giving up on the goal of cost containment, nor should it.

The managed-care industry recently promised not to restrict communications between doctors and patients on medical questions.

Political conservatives and the managed-care industry argue that the market should be let alone to sort things out.

Consumer groups say the campaign for patients' rights is an empty gesture if Federal officials ignore the growing concentration of the managed-care industry.

The managed-care industry later began a campaign of its own to address the concerns of patients and doctors.

Politicians happily turned over the task of holding down costs to the managed-care industry in the 80's and 90's.

In practice, the rules will set a standard for the entire managed-care industry.

Of course, they do not love all people with medical problems, just people lucky enough to have some insurance coverage provided by the managed-care industry.