5 thoughts on “Consumer-Directed Health Plans Soar”

  1. I hope the Dept of Health and Human Services doesn’t find this trend disturbing and try to squash it with regulation. CDHC is the only way to really bend the cost curve.

    Unfortunately, the people who advise the president (who appoints the HHS Secretary) do not really like CDHC. The reason often given is that patients lack the knowledge (and sophistication) to make wise decision about their own medical needs. Sometimes it’s claimed CDHC is only good for the healthy and wealthy.

    However, I believe it goes much deeper. There is a pervasive elitism among public health advocates that they are in a better position than consumers to know how to use health care resources wisely. Just consider the jargon: “health care resources” suggests a collective good – not an individual good.

    This explains why the individual mandate (and employer mandate) requires comprehensive health coverage with mandated benefits, including no cost-sharing on preventive care. The definition of preventive care is the prerogative of the U.S. Preventive Care Taskforce and the HHS Secretary.

    These regulations are little more than a way to fund activities public health advocates want funded, while forcing others (mostly taxpayers) to bear the cost.

  2. Since you went out on a limb voicing your opionin so will I. I have never posted on anyone’s blog but felt compelled to do so today. I am one of those parents who objected to my children listening to the President. It had nothing to do with the speech but the curriculum attached. But no one wants to hear that. It is easier to say poor Obama the mean conservatives are out to get him. The liberals ignore the parents saying just let the president talk. I for one was very uncomfortable with the current administration saying “students think about this, do this and so on” When the President addresses the nation my children watch it, as they should. But there is no one telling them what to think, including us,their parents. And don’t even get me started on this health care proposal that won’t cost anyone anything. Where do you think the money is coming from? Yes things need to change but not shoved down everyone’s throat. What is the hurry? I truly believe that the politicians haven’t even scratched the surface on real solutions to this dilemma.

Comments are closed.