The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council (SBE) reports (2/17/06) that “Ehealthinsurance, which is the nation’s largest seller of on-line individual health insurance policies, found that the premiums for its HSA (Health Savings Accounts) qualified plans dropped by 15 percent in price, from 2004 to 2005.”

Now consider that HMSA has just applied for a 3.8 percent rate increase.

Then consider that our employers cannot offer the HSA qualified plans because of Hawaii’s Prepaid Health Care Act.

Are we being locked in without choice in a high cost box designed by (who else?) government?

Here is a glimmer of good news however; businesses without employees including “Mom and Pop” businesses can apply for the HSA option right now.

Richard O. Rowland is president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, a non-partisan, non-profit public policy institute focused on promoting the free-market, individual freedom and liberty.