I’m reading the new Cato book and won’t unload on review it until I’m done, but it’s fair to say that Joe Paduda’s view is pretty close to my own.
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Joe, calm down. You wrote, //”most costs are incurred by people who spend way more than their health spending account would hold,//
I’m sorry Joe, there is no maximum limit or balance in an MSA or HSA. Some of the first MSAs have balances of $50,000 with deductibles of between $4,500 and $5,200. Go look in the mirror Joe when you talk about sloppy writing.
Joe you continue, //”There is ample evidence that the costs of the uninsured are borne by private payers; in fact about a thousand dollars of the average family’s insurance premium goes to pay for uncompensated care.”//
Here again Joe, people with an MSA or HSA are not uninsured. You are just a confused writer.
Then you end with //”Avoid ideologically-based solutions, and stick to the facts. If the facts don’t support your position, find another position.”//
Who would take your advise Joe? I didn’t even focuse on it because it was so meaningless. My comments were based on Matthew’s comment that “no one supporting HSAs have ever done the maths.” At least Matthew is smart enough to call them HSAs, unlike you. Then I posted some “maths” to prove Matthew wrong.
I am in your so-called “real world” Joe. My agency enrolled the first IRS approved MSA in the USA. You say that I’m angry. Why would I be angry? HSAs have been passed for all Americans and are now the law of the land and can’t be stopped. Everybody is projecting millions of new HSAs in the next 24 months. People like you Joe are a dime a dozen.
I suggest Joe you keep fighting with those CATO boys. I don’t think any of them are licensed either. It is kind of funny that Liberals are now mad when you call them Liberals. That’s why Governor Jeb Bush calls Democrats, “Pathetic.” President Bush said, “Become empowered with a tax free HSA.”
Just stop saying MSA because HSAs are sooo much better.
You sound a little angry Joe.
Ron – jeez, a lot of anger there. I’m interested in your characterization and purpose thereof. Does it help for you to label people so you can apply your preconceived notions to them, thereby eliminating the need to think?
Now, on to your points. Note that I never mentioned HSAs in my post, for the simple reason that they are essentially identical to MSAs, with the notable difference that HSAs have succeeded MSAs in most states. But, for purposes of describing the vehicle and its impact on health care costs, there is no difference.
You also attribute words to the post that simply were not there. Nowhere in this post did I say “HSAs accounts will not hold more than the deductible.” I don’t know if you are sloppy, disingenuous, or just confused. Regardless, if you have a point to make, please do it without pontificating, hiding behind labels, and distorting others’ statements.
Finally, I would ask what your opinions are regarding the central theme of my post. Your comments above make no mention of CDHPs impact on health care spending, cite no studies showing their efficacy, and break no new intellectual ground.
If you want your voice to be considered seriously, speak honestly, bring good arguments to the table, and be prepared to back them up. Otherwise, keep your rants to yourself.
Matthew you wrote, //
Indeed, no one supporting HSAs has ever done the maths. I’m reading the Cato book in vain. Thanks for writing this, and I’ve linked over to you.
Posted by: Matthew Holt at September 22, 2005 01:20 PM //
Not true Matthew. Let’s look at the math again – OK? The average premium for employer based coverage is $10,880 a year, per family, in 2005. A 30 year old couple with 2 children can get HSA heath insurace for just $163 a month in Lansing, MI.
Once a family saves more in premium than the size of their deductible it is mathmatically impossible for them to lose if the had a head full of tumors every year.
You know health insurance premiums double every 6 years. Would consumers prefer $163 a month doubling or the $10,880 a year doubling? (OF COURSE MATTHEW NEVER ANSWERS A QUESTION)
Also, your liberal friend Joe talks about HSAs then switches to MSAs. What is he talking about? If he is talking about MSAs they have been switched to HSAs in most states. You don’t want to associate yourself with this guy Matthew. Joe said, “HSAs accounts will not hold more than the deductible.” That’s pathetic and is not federal law. You need better liberals to believe in Matthew.
Great comment on how individual “responsibility” rationing ultimately costs everyone more.
There’s a remark about brand differentiation as a means of growth in one of the links, and that bothers me. Ultimately, good health care is good health care: it’s all the same “product”. To try to suggest difference through branding seems like a blatant attempt to achieve growth through manipulating public perception as opposed to actually making a better mousetrap. Isn’t the better mousetrap the justification for a market-driven economy?