An idea without much traction in Congress could “account” for positive changes to health care. George Lightbourn, President of Wisconsin Policy Research Institute, says lawmakers should expand the use of Health Savings Accounts.
HSA’s allow users to purchase high deductible insurance plans for major expenses such as serious illness while paying for routine medical expenses out of their own special account.
Lightbourn, a free market policy researcher, claims HSA users have seen their insurance premiums drop because they are “more engaged” in their health care decisions and wouldn’t have to rely on “someone in Washington to make decisions over their health care.”
Republicans have advocated Health Savings Accounts most notably House member Paul Ryan of Janesville.
Opponents of HSA’s believe they fragment the potential pool of patients by attracting younger, healthier applicants.
Lightbourn also supports a change to the current policy of taxing people who purchase their own medical insurance compared to coverage obtained through an employer being tax free.
He would also like to see people able to shop for insurance carriers out of state, idea supported by some Democrats and Republicans.
