Washington is at it…AGAIN!

It appears millions of Americans are purchasing HSA qualified health insurance plans in spite of being told they are too risky, they don’t work, they are too confusing, etc.  There must be some way to further confuse people and reduce the huge premium savings these plans offer… 

I know, let’s introduce redundant legislation that will make accessing HSA funds more difficult and costly…Brilliant!

(Click on the cartoon image below to view the Investment News article)

Unfortunately, we don’t know exactly what the members of the House of Representatives were thinking.  For some politicians (say hi Pete), anything short of socialized medicine is inadequate. 

I feel our current health care delivery system, which has completely shielded Americans from pricing and quality information, is already too close to socialism.  You pay your co-pay and your insurance company pays the rest.  This makes people think there are no consequences for over-utilization.  Of course there are consequences.  Have you seen how much you are paying for health insurance?  I know, this doesn’t pertain to you because your employer pays for your health insurance.  WRONG!  Your pay raises are being sent to your Health Insurance Company every year! 

Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and their required High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) offer the best value available today when they are designed and implemented properly. 

Luckily, the President has promised to veto the bill if it includes this provision. 

Scott

State of the Union: How do the Presidential Candidates propose we change health care?

Last week (1/28/08), President Bush outlined some changes needed for our health care system.  Most of these have been mentioned many times before.  With Democratic control of Congress, we are unlikely to see very many of these pass this year.

The real question we need to consider is how do each of the current front-running candidates propose we fix our Health Insurance problems?

Grace-Marie Turner, President of the Galen Institute, wrote this article today:  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119292772900066111.html

Now the real question…Will the next President actually keep campaign promises?

Scott