Getting Health Savings Accounts Right

Publication Date: June 2006

Publisher: Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): Nina Owcharenko

Research Area: Health

Keywords: Health care; health savings account

Type: Brief

Abstract:

The growing success of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) is a policy victory, but Congress should be cautious not to overstep the role of the government in the health insurance marketplace. Policymakers eager to build on the success of HSAs should focus on improving the management and administration of these arrangements, but resist tempting efforts to manipulate the market in favor of them. Congress should retain a level playing field for free market competition in health insurance, including HSAs.