GO, MITT:

Shake-up envisioned in health insurance: Higher deductibles seen possible for many (Christopher Rowland, November 7, 2005, Boston Globe)

If any one of the healthcare overhaul plans under consideration on Beacon Hill passes intact, state officials say, a ripple effect is likely. High-deductible plans would also be attractive to employers who have endured five consecutive years of double-digit premium hikes for standard health insurance; the state's HMOs could aggressively promote them; and employees would be allowed to take their health plans from job to job -- effectively seeding the marketplace.

''This is a paradigm shift. It wouldn't be surprising to me that you will see a lot more people actively taking these things up," said Timothy R. Murphy, Romney's secretary of health and human services. ''Large employers that we speak to are exploring a number of different options." [...]

The proposals would also encourage greater use of consumer ''health savings accounts," tax-deductible accounts similar in concept to a 401(k) retirement plan. Consumers or their employers deposit money in the savings accounts to pay for costs not covered under a high-deductible plan. The deposits are exempt from taxes, as long as the money is used to pay for medical expenses. Insurance specialists say such accounts primarily benefit middle- and high-income earners.

Though HSA's are the best option--because they also boost savings rates--all will bring market forces back into health care because you'd become a consumer again.

Posted by Orrin Judd at November 7, 2005 11:38 PM