The New York Times reported today that the major banks are lining up plans to participate in Health Savings Accounts.? These insurance plans that link a high-deductible policy to a savings account (like an I.R.A.) will bring billions of dollars into the banking and financial services industry.? What this means to me is that I am on the right track.? I believe that we are rapidly moving to a two-tiered health system.? One tier is for those that have the resources (money) and interest (brains) to take their health into their own hands.? The other tier is for the poor (literally and figuratively) folks who trust in the government and medical system to keep them healthy.
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The time is right for everyone who has a "lick-of-sense" to start taking better care of themselves.? The insurance company can't and won't assume the liability for poor health choices played out over a lifetime.? Think what you like, but?the costs of smoking, not exercising and eating low-quality high calorie foods are catching up to all of us and eating into the bottom line of every part of American Society.? The banks and financial institutions know that this is no "flash-in-the-pan" this time.? Health savings accounts are here to stay.? In the next ten years over 10% of all Americans will have a checkbook to pay for acupuncture, herbs, vitamins, massage, chiropractic, yoga classes and any other treatment that will save them money and illness in the future.? I say "Bring it on!"
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It's about time that the entrenched medical model was given a good run for its money.? The idea of a Health Savings Account is the precise funding mechanism that will provide people the opportunity to let their health choices be known.? They will pay with their own money choosing their own treatments that they feel work best for them.? Now, every choice that a health consumer makes must be in accord with their insurer's?mandates.? Yuck!? The insurer has a primary responsibility to make money for shareholders.? The patient has a primary responsibility to spare no expense to stay alive and functioning well.? These are goals that are clearly at odds.? The cure is in the Health Savings Account model and I can't wait to see how things develop over the next few years.? Prepare to be in charge of your own health care dollars AND decisions.? It's gonna be great!
