……..Some of the benefits of high deductible plans include
greater transparency, and there’s a self-rationing effect — you don’t go to the
doctor unless you really feel like you need to. Studies,
including one done by the National Bureau of Economic Research, show that these
kinds of health plans lead to reduced health care spending. The NBER study showed a 15-percent reduction in
spending. Earlier this summer my son was injured in a backyard football game.
After hearing a loud crack we were worried he broke his ankle, so we hurried
him to an emergency room.