The only hope of bending the cost curve down is to empower patients and doctors through consumer-driven health care such as Health Savings Accounts (HSA).? What does the current legislation do to HSAs? John Goodman and Ron Bachman at NCPA answer that question here.
So what happens to these plans [HSAs] in the reform bills before Congress? They are eviscerated. Even though the Senate bill leaves families with the same out-of-pocket exposure HSA plans can have today, the bill reduces the amount that can be deposited in an HSA to one-third of its current level. Even though over-the-counter drugs have enormous potential for cost savings, the bill allows HSA funds to be spent on prescription drugs only.
It looks like the? cost curve will bend alright. Unfortunately it will bend up.
Corrected spelling of Bachman.
