‘MDs’ pits HMOs, brave young doctors

Tonight’s only new program is a timely look at the health-care system in the United States.

On “MDs,” premiering at 10, compassionate hospital workers seek to find ways around the profit-conscious health-care industry in order to better take care of their patients. While other recent medical shows have occasionally used HMOs as a punching bag, none have done it quite so ruthlessly as this ABC entry.

On “MDs,” it’s the doctors versus the suits at San Francisco’s fictitious Mission General hospital. Setting the tone is the in-house HMO case manager, who notes, “It’s us against them,” “them” referring to the patients. He’s aided by a utilization-review nurse with a doctorate in management.

On the side of the angels is Dr. Bruce Kellerman (played by William Fichtner, “Black Hawk Down,” “A Perfect Storm”), a cardio-thoracic surgeon, and Dr. Robert Dalgety (John Hannah, “The Mummy,” “Four Weddings and a Funeral”), a recently arrived trauma surgeon.

Trying to ride herd on both sides is new hospital administrator Shelly Pangborn (Leslie Stefanson), whose former experience is limited to running theme parks and who gets faint at the sight of blood. She’s aided by a weaselly assistant who lusts after her job.

As envisioned by creator Gary Tieche, “MDs” is “M*A*S*H” updated in a hospital setting, skillfully blending humor and pathos. Fichtner and Hannah are charming rogues who flawlessly engage in Hawkeye-and-Trapper-style exchanges, continually exasperating authority.

Up against perennial ratings winner “Law & Order,” the best “MDs” can hope for is to fare better than “Presidio Med,” CBS’s more traditional hospital drama in the same time slot. The loser is likely to be soon discharged.