HSAs: Why High-Deductible Plans Are Not the Solution


 

Publication Date: January 2005

Publisher: Families USA

Author(s): Daniel Tyre-Karp

Research Area: Health

Type: Brief

Abstract:

This fact sheet examines the effects that health savings accounts (HSA's) will have on those without health insurance and the health care system overall. We find that HSA's will do little to help the uninsured gain affordable coverage and will not contain health insurance costs. In fact, over the long run, HSA's will harm those who need health care the most. They represent a radical departure from our current health care system and would exacerbate the racial and ethnic health disparities we see today.