More than 45 million Americans have no health coverage and we are all paying the price.  It is estimated that the cost of health insurance could be reduced by at least 15% if all Americans had health coverage.   In 2005, health insurance premiums rose by 9.2% while earnings only grew at 3%.  American families are finding themselves squeezed in a health care crunch.

In his State of the Union Address, President Bush proposed expanding health savings accounts (HSAs) as a way to deal with our health care crisis.  HSAs have been available since 2004.  They provide tax incentives to both employers and employees for contributions made to HSAs.

In turn, an employee can use his or her HSA to purchase a high-deductible insurance policy.  However, because of the high deductibility of the policies, HSAs appeal mostly to younger, healthier individuals with few health care needs.  In fact, HSAs will do little to meet the needs of those with serious chronic health-care problems or low-income Americans who are unlikely to be able to accumulate much money in their HSAs.

The most serious problem facing our health care system is increasing costs, and HSAs do nothing to deal with this problem.  Instead of addressing high health costs, HSAs are just a way to shift the burden of health care on to individuals.  In fact, HSAs could reduce the number of employers who provide insurance coverage for their employees. American families are already burdened with rising health costs and stagnant wages.

Traditionally, our health care insurance system has been employer based.  I support that and think that we need to do all we can to help employers provide health care to their workforce at an affordable price. 

Maryland has been very effective in helping small businesses purchase affordable health insurance for their employees.  Maryland requires all health insurers to sell a reasonably priced, comprehensive standard benefit package to all small employers.  It has enabled more small businesses in Maryland to offer health care coverage to their employees than in most other states in the nation.  

The President could learn something from what Maryland has been able to accomplish.  We need to strengthen our employer-based health insurance system, not weaken it. 

We are the only developed nation in the world that does not provide universal health care to its citizens.  I am disappointed that President Bush missed an opportunity in his address to the nation to deal effectively with our health care problems.  Our citizens deserve to have access to affordable, quality health care. 

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