NOW MAKE THEM MANDATORY:

Health Savings Accounts Growing in Popularity (Steve Jordahl, 1/17/05, Citizen Link)

Health savings accounts (HSAs)—a big part of health care reform—are gaining in popularity, according to a survey released by America's Health Insurance Plans.

They are tax-sheltered savings accounts similar to Individual Retirement Accounts, but set aside for medical expenses. Nearly 350,000 people purchased the plans last September alone, and almost a third of those new buyers didn't have health insurance.

Companies can match or make contributions, and larger medical expenses are covered by low-cost, high-deductible health insurance, according to Larry Akey, a spokesman for America's Health Insurance Plans.

"(HSAs give) them greater control over their choice of providers," he explained, "and give them greater opportunity to participate in heath care decisions that affect them and their families."

The money you don't use on health care is yours to keep—tax-free.

"You could build up a pretty sizable balance in your health savings account that could then be available to you either in the event of a major medical problem or, more likely, as you move towards retirement," Akey said.