HSA and Reality of Open Market System

I found a new blog about health care, titled, Healthcare Blog. http://www.healthcare-blog.com/2007/hsas-enrollees-predicted-to-rise-to-30-million-by-2009/
The particular item I read (and subsequently responded) was about the increase of Healthcare Savings Accounts (HSA's) to increase dramatically by 2009. I doubt HSA's will increase very much at all in 24 months. I cite the savings rate the US has entertained in the past 40 years, the short-term mind-set our business encourages and the fact we all want to play now with our money. As a result, I would be very surprised to see an abrupt change in consumer savings habits in such a short period of time like 24 months.

A more convincing reason as to why HSA's are unlikely to increase greatly is that the US Health Care scenario is becoming more illuminated as being "broken". It is my contention that, as individuals become more responsible for their health care dollars, the choices one makes will show greater insight into value and the efficient use of the consumer dollars. HSA's have a very small part of showing consumers the true value of expenditures, when they still have the large insurance policy backing the BIG expenditures...and that is where our health care system is running at its least efficiency.

Oh, please understand, the fact we will remove a few people from the ER for their child's flu-like cough and sore throat will do a lot to improve the way health care dollars are spent, however, those who recognize and actually change behavior because of it will be slim to none (and as the old joke goes, Slim left town two weeks ago).

The place we will achieve better efficiencies will be when procedures are charged based upon a relative standard pricing scenario, exactly which takes place in the open market and consumers have options and choices as to where their value is best located. The old line from Econ. 255 of "voting with our dollars" is the basis of our economy. Unfortunately, the way US Health Care is configured, dollars seem to be sent to very undeserving locations which are far, far from the most efficient. As we migrate toward a more open market environment for spending our health care dollars, people, places and organizations will find consumers are less and less willing to spend true, open market dollars with them, which will upset more than a few...

Be prepared for changes. It must happen and is on the beginning edge of happening. Make sure YOU are fully aware and congnizant of how you spend your dollars.