…he and General Ellisimo Francisco Franco would still be dead.
High Deductible Health Plans with HSAs give their users/participants a fighting chance for a healthier lifestyle. They represent a carrot AND a stick approach. But they do not a represent a gun to one’s head. The choice is ultimately the participant’s. They can either be responsible and by that I mean they can use the HDHP as motivation to become more healthy with the goal of spending less on health care, and they can use the HSA to be responsible and save money for the day when they or a family member will need health care.
The problem many folks have, is that paying for health care is not a priority. They have come to rely on the government or their employer to pick up the tab. Sadly, folks have come to believe that is an entitlement. That somehow they should not be responsible for that. What they don’t realize is that, that mentality results in higher costs for everyone in the form of taxes and for goods and services.
Educated consumers drive costs down. Think about the auto industry. Years ago the manufacturers had all the leverage because the consumer had no idea what it cost to make a car. But now, with the internet and more transparency in pricing consumers have a much better idea of what they should be paying. This has forced manufacturers to become more efficient in their production, driving the quality up and and vehicle costs down. And by the way, the cost of health care for current and former employees is a big chunk of the reason why both GM and Chrysler are in chapter 11 today.
The same concept is at work with HDHPs and HSAs.
With regard to Jacko and the General. The General was dead long before the advent of HDHPs. And Jacko, sadly and seemingly was waaaaaaaay beyond the benefits an HDHP or any insurance plan could provide.
Filed under: business, health, health insurance, health savings accounts, healthcare, healthcare finance, high deductible health plan, hsa education, humor, politics | Tagged: consumer driven health, ellisim francisco franco, franco, hdhp, hsa, jacko, michael jackson
