Depending on how it works I might like it too. I get insurance from my company and I know it's a lot more then I need. I've opted out of several "extra" insurances as well. Being able to pick an insurance that works well in my area and at my doctor would be nice.

Anytime I can prevent the government from "taking care" of me, I'm happy. I'm for health care savings accounts and privatized social security. Now, if we can get the government out of the education business and let them stick to what they're supposed to do (provide for the common defense and promote the general welfare)....

Remember that the man who can shoulder the most risk will gain the deepest love and the supreme accomplishment;

Why are we wasting their money on this? Is it to bring the debt higher? How is this republican in anyway? You should be shot for supporting this liberal bullshit.

I have never understood the opposition to these plans by the left. It reduces taxable income, oh yeah thats probably why, silly me..

Well Jervis let me fill you in. The opposition is why are we giving all this money to the private sector when it could simply be collected by taxes and provide healthcare for everyone instead of wasting in concievable ammounts of money (which isnt even republican in the first place) which could be used to build a functioning universal healthcare system that works fantastically in other nations.

I haven't read up on this, so I apologize if this is a stupid question, but...

What exactly do they mean when they say "Health Savings Account"? We currently have the option of setting aside some amount of money, tax free, to use for health care... but anything unused by the end of the year is forfeit. I don't have a good idea of what an appropriate amount would be to put in one, nor the time to sit down and figure it out, so we've never used it. However, I do understand that if I guess badly, I could end up losing more money that I saved by not having to pay taxes on that amount.

So, is a health savings account something like that, but without the stupid use it quick or lose it requirement? If so, I think that would be a very good thing.

If it's something else, could someone please fill me in on what is meant?

Yes, that sounds fine and dandy. Why do we help our marally dependant people like: Parents, handicapped children, and ourselves if we become handicapped?

LNC-
Health savings accounts are simply money set aside into a special account, either by your employer or by your employer and you. You must also purchase a health insurance account. Here's how it works. The special account is used whenever you require medical services, doctor visits, medicine, etc. When this is exhausted, your insurance then kicks in and pays for anything else. The beauty of the plan is that the insurance is much less in premium cost than traditional costs. By requiring the person to pay for the first $XXX of health care, they take ownership of their health. Please read up on this. It is a good plan. Also, if you don't use all the money in the account, it "rolls over" to the next year.

G

Christian-
Please read up on other nation's health care plans, especially Germany. Socialized, national health care, despite the political propaganda, is not working. I am a health care professional, who researches this stuff. The evidence does not support the US moving into nationalized health care, based on other countries experiences and statistics. Employers are becoming bankrupt due to this. I strongly urge you to do your own research.

Christian, with a straight face can you name one country that can make the claim that universal health care is considered to work fantastically.

I just don't see the love affair with socializing medicine. HMO's are the closest thing to socialized medicine and I certainly don't think they represent the best the medical community can offer.

How I envision socialized medicine is the DMV with needles. No thanks.

Never fear, in about 3 years, Mass will go begging to the Feds for more money to cover the "gap" between medical income and expense. And just to make sure it's a Good Government program, the premiums will go up and coverage will be "adjusted" by the legislature. Then to make sure it is a Great Government program, the system should go "broke" in about 8 years!! The timelines may vary, but the headlines "will" be there.

Bush's plan (HSA + Medicaid) simply isn't working or isn't robust enough to solve the problem. Whether you like it or not, you are subsidizing uninsured people who get medical attention but can't pay. This plan at least recognizes this fact and tries to do something about it.

Read "Mitt's Fit" by Ed Haislmaier (Heritage Foundation) for a conservative analysis on this program. It's time we (conservatives) start looking at realistic solutions to health-care. The this plan (I think) is a step in the right direction and is very promising.

http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/haislmaier200601271110.asp

The Mass. plan is just another hedge to prop up the private insurance industry. Sooner or later the privatizers will be dragged (kicking and screaming, no doubt) into the civilized world.

Show me the dead Canadians!

John,

Me thinks education does "promote the general welfare"

Don't you?