Originally Posted by Yakk

But really, when you go to a doctor, that doctor knows so much more about what is wrong with you and how much it should cost than you do it isn't funny. Plus you are often extremely desperate to get the problem fixed (be it cancer, a heart attack, or anything else), I doubt you'll be doing all that much price shopping.

On the other hand, possibly having way more people buying health care with 'their own money' will change the incentives for health care providers enough.

This HSA does have the effect of encouraging Americans to save more, as does scaring people about the state of social security. I'd suspect most people's HSA will rapidly evaporate shortly after you get your first serious illness. The net effect of increased savings, however, will possibly have a net benefit to the US economy, especially given the current dismal rate of US saving.