The Impact of Hsas on Health Care Reform: Preliminary Results after One Year

32 Pages Posted: 14 Apr 2005

See all articles by Edward Larson

Edward Larson

Pepperdine University - Rick J. Caruso School of Law

Marc Dettmann

University of Virginia Health Services Foundation

Abstract

Over one year having passed since Congress authorized the creation of the first individual Health Savings Account (HSA), this article reviews the context, structure, promise, and impact of this new type of tax-advantaged accounts. Proponents of these accounts claim that, coupled with high-deductible health insurance policies, HSAs can increase access to and decrease cost of health care. Opponents counter that HSAs could decrease access and raise cost for some. The article begins by summarizing current trends in health-care access and cost. It then analyzes the HSA legislation itself, H.R. 2596 (2003), and how HSAs operate. After reviewed the claims made for HSAs when H.R. 2596 passed, the article takes a preliminary look at the impact of HSAs one year after their creation.

The enactment of H.R. 2596 may benefit some individuals and families by providing an additional tax-subsidized health-insurance option that may better fit their needs than other options. For some, it may make the difference between having health insurance and not having health insurance. For others, it may result in lower costs or better quality. Despite the claims of proponents, however, the record so far suggests that HSAs will have little overall impact on rising health-care costs or on shrinking health-care access. Fundamental health-care reform will not be so easily or painlessly implemented.

Keywords: Health Savings Accounts, Health Care Benefits

JEL Classification: I18, J32, H20

Suggested Citation

Larson, Edward J. and Dettmann, Marc, The Impact of Hsas on Health Care Reform: Preliminary Results after One Year. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=692882

Edward J. Larson (Contact Author)

Pepperdine University - Rick J. Caruso School of Law ( email )

24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263
United States

Marc Dettmann

University of Virginia Health Services Foundation ( email )

1400 University Ave
Charlottesville, VA 22903
United States

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