(the) Health Savings Accounts Blog

Although not directly related to health savings accounts, the focus of this blog, international patient dumping is a fast-growing phenomenon that does have a direct impact on the cost of healthcare for everyone.

As this article from the Seattle Times illustrates, American hospitals have an ethical duty to care for everyone, including uninsured illegals.  But how far does that go?

In the case cited by the Times, a Guatemalan national here illegally suffered brain damage in a horrific accident.  After racking up approximately $1.5 million as a ward of the hospital system over 4 or so years, the hospital system finally arranged for a charter flight and forcibly sent him back to his official country (Guatemala).

This new wave of deportations is not officially sanctioned by the U.S., and in fact it is completely private, which is what makes it so interesting.

Expect plenty of legal battles over cases just like this over the coming years.

But the next time you get a $12,000 bill from the hospital for an overnight stay, a fair question to hospital administrators might be:  “How many uninsured illegals am I subsidizing?”

The House, strong-armed by bozo-deluxe Pete Stark (D-CA) has passed a bill mandating confirmation of virtually all HSA eligible withdrawals. The measure is being strongly pushed by Bob Patricelli, a CT businessman who owns a patent on bookkeeping software that coincidentally stands to make a bundle should this bill pass.

This is a hot topic and because this particular articles does an excellent job explaining the issue, I urge you to click here and read the article from the Heartland Institute.

COMMENT:

And you thought the days of businessmen being in bed with Congressmen were over. What a sham!

Simply amazing how egg-headed certain members of Congress can be. Thankfully, the President will veto this garbage should it ever pass the Senate.

According to this story in the New York Times, obesity and even moderate overweight conditions led to a 27% increase in group health plan premiums.

Read the story here

COMMENT:
If employers are directly being surcharged for their employee’s health conditions, shouldn’t they have a right to pick and choose employees based on their health status?

Blue Cross of Utah, a/k/a Regence, has been accused of improperly rescinding coverage on individual health plans.

Read the story from the Salt Lake Tribune

COMMENT:
This is but one of several such stories in the news from major insurers retroactively canceling coverage. Perhaps the days of this shoddy practice are nearing their end.

It’s on the way folks:

Read the article from North NJ.com

COMMENTS:

“Free” has been initially tabbed at a cost of $400 million to taxpayers
*snicker*

Over 80% of workers surveyed want the current employer-sponsored system to remain in force.

From Market Watch

COMMENT:
I wonder what the other 20% had to say?