Are Consumers Ready for HSA's?

In a recent NYTimes article [The Health of a Nation, By ALlan B. Hubbard, April 3, 2006] it is posited that Health Saving Accounts are the solution for rising health costs, the lack of accountability for quality, solution to employers dilemma of cutting employee benefits and perhaps the cure for the common cold.
True: Health costs are rising at an almost unbelievable rate
True: The industry hasn't been as accountible for quality as it should be
True: Employers are cutting back on benefits

It is a curious thing that research indicates the very people who are most likely to use HSA's are the same folks that will avoid needed, early interventional health services in order to preserve funds in the HSA. Sure, I've got friends who carry these plans and I bet you do too. Do you listen to how they agonize over whether or not to take the kids in for a medical eval? How dad avoids the annual physical to check on hypertension? etc.

Good idea (perhaps) these HSA's, but there needs to be improvements in the program to avoid the pitfalls. And, no it doesn't solve all the problems Mr. Hubbard suggests.

Never-the-less, my tax preparation software maker [TurboTax] is offering HSA software to manage the account. Well, at least TurboTax is going to make money and solve a consumer need...how to manage these investments.