A Million Little Health Savings Accounts – ABC News: “
 Washington Post |
A Million Little Health Savings Accounts
ABC News’-
February 1, 2006—The various insurance offerings by UnitedHealth Group can be found in a bulky catalogue, listed in the type of alphabet soup that has become the standard lingo for managed care. The preferred …
BUSH ADVOCATES health accounts
Bush touts health savings accounts
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(Via Google News.)
These days, I rarely find myself siding with W, but on the HSA issue, I’m all for it. It is a win-win for anyone without health insurance. If you can afford to put money away for savings, that is. I can’t right now, but unless something really strange happens and I end up with health insurance coverage (okay, not that strange, enough SAG income to get coverage would do it…), my next health insurance will be a Health Savings Account.
I understand some of the critiques: people who really need health care won’t go, because the money is coming out of their pocket, so to speak. I just don’t think the rest of us should be discouraged because a few people won’t see the math of it all… a full coverage plan would cost much more than they are going to pay for an out-of-pocket (which is at least tax-free payments, if you’ve contributed to the HSA) doctor visit or five.
And if you don’t get sick, well, then… it’s like additional retirement money. And who really saved enough these days?
In lieu of universal health care, which I seriously doubt is going to happen in the next decade, HSA’s provide an amazing alternative many would do well for themselves to take advantage of.
They’re a giveaway to the wealthy; and do nothing to help people who currently have trouble obtaining health insurance.
http://mdahmus.monkeysystems.com/blog/archives/000260.html
M1EK
February 3rd, 2006
The wealthy may be able to take advantage of HSA’s, but really, how many wealthy people would want to bother with high-deductible insurance? Usually their businesses would provide better insurance, and the wealthy would not need it.
HSA’s help the people like me who don’t want to work for a company just to get benefits, yet I can’t afford a full blown individual health plan. I am far from wealthy. Just because it comes from George Bush and Republicans doesn’t always mean it benefits only the wealthy. In fact, in this case, the amounts are so low you can put in compared to a truly wealthy person, it wouldn’t be worth their time.
Alan
February 3rd, 2006