a) Many cannot afford $10,000 in health costs. *b) *Yes, the paperwork
required is insane. *I think a lot of that is to make it painful to
use insurance. *c) *Health savings accounts are great as long as those
companies don't go bankrupt (it has happened) and people actually has
the resources and discipline to actually contribute to health savings
accounts.

__________________________________________________ ______________________
Craig A. Gullixson
Technical Support Manager * * * * * * * INTERNET:
National Solar Observatory/Sac. Peak * *PHONE: (575) 434-7065
Sunspot, NM 88349 USA * * * * * * * * * FAX: (575) 434-7029

no, they can't- so it becomes a sliding scale based on income/personal
wealth? catastrophic for me is somewhat different than catastrophic
for "nameyourfavoritefamousperson" or the homeless person down the
street. The point is, I think if my premiums were reduced
substantially from what they are, I could take the diff and stick it
into some sort of HSA and I would be able to write that 10,000 check
every 3-5 years. This presumes of course that I have the interest and/
or foresight to actually do this rather than buy a new flatscreen or
the latest boron flyrod or ---- whatever. It still comes down to
being responsible for your own actions. I also think that if your
local insurance co. were not involved whatsoever in your day to day
runs to the free clinic, the clinic would have more time to devote to
the actual issue, rather than a "whose your insurance" interogation
which should lead to lower costs and better service. everbody gets
there own HSA and a debit card to match.

The not-for-profit thing is something of a red herring also. I know
of more than a few folks that make substantial incomes managing not-
for-profit organizations. So while the corp or whatever entitiy is
not-for-profit, those employed to manage or operate them can do quite
well.

john