Politicians' views on health care
You've just got to read Matt Holt's blow by blow report from the World Healthcare Congress.
Here is one of the more interesting excerpts.
Allan Hubbard, the Administration's point man on health care
"Question to Hubbard - "Do you think HSAs could make the problem worse by driving the young, healthy or wealthy into these plans leaving the sicker in traditional plans which will drive up the cost of health care for the most vulnerable part of society?
Hubbard says that its not for the wealthy, as 40% of people getting them earn less than $50,000 (of course that means that 60% earn well more than the average, but lets leave that aside!) For the chronically ill—he says 2–5% of population—this doesn't work so well. so Administration wants to allow employers to put a bigger amount in the HSA for the chronically ill. But thats the problematic part..."
Paduda comment - 2-5% of the populatin is chronically ill? Perhaps, although it depends on what your definition of "chronic illness" is. They drive a majority of health care costs, so Hubbard essentially admits that HSAs as conceived by the Administration don't work for the chronically ill- and as for putting more dollars in there, isn't that just encouraging usage?