Local members of Teamsters Union adopts Health Savings Account (HSA) plan!

CashDoctor.com - Los Angeles, CA February 20, 2005 - This month a small crack has appeared in the dike and the water is about to come rushing through. The unionized employees of the township of Mt. Pleasant, PA just approved a contract that includes a new HSA healthcare option. The township members of Teamsters local 30 voted unanimously for the change in their healthcare benefits plan. Members voted to change from an expensive Point of Service (POS) plan to Major Medical plan tied to a health savings account. "We understand these are trying times with healthcare, and we know the situation with the supervisors not wanting to raise taxes, so we just wanted to do our part as employees. I'm an employee, but I'm also a resident, so if it
works out that the changes benefit both, then that's a plus." Union steward Wayne Bellew was quoted in the Tribune Review.

The decision for the members and the township of Mt Pleasant was EASY. Union members were offered a major medical plan with a $2500 deductible for individuals and $5000 employees with family members. The township saves approximately $118,000 in health insurance premiums. The Township has also committed to cover the union members deductible 100% representing a maximum outlay of $75,000, thus still saving the township $43,000. No one looses in this plan.. If
fact, everyone gains. More Americans, employers and union leaders need to do the math.

This Consumer Directed Healthcare Plan design is just another example of what Americans will see being adopted across the nation. Governments, One insurance company, Aetna has already enrolled over 330,000 employees in this plan type. Unions and business's alike will benefit from
consumer directed healthcare plans. The key to success in all “major medical” based plans is the funding of the HSA account. All groups can stop the first dollar abuse of the healthcare system and LOWER their healthcare cost if they give employees a financial reward for good stewardship. This can be accomplished by employers adopting HSA qualified plans and funding the employees HSA account with part or all of the savings associated with the change in healthcare plans. HSAs are also a great program for employers with self-funded plans to reduce cost and abuse and benefit their employees or members at the same time. Americans need to embrace this new healthcare system revolution and exercise their right to consumer directed healthcare.plan programs.