While the news remains bleak in most sectors - carrier rate hikes rage on, the number of uninsured continues to climb, and, strangely, President Obama's health care reform law is becoming more popular - the storm clouds reveal a hint of silver lining.

Consumer-driven plans are growing faster than my 10-year-old son (and usually behave a lot better). According to a recent AHIP study, more than 10 million people own health savings accounts (typically paired with a high-deductible health plan). That's up from 6 million just two years ago.

And despite the usual critiques, these plans work at saving money, and encouraging more responsible health care decisions (see, told you they were better behaved).

But don't take my word for it: The results of a 2009 American Academy of Actuaries study revealed "properly designed [consumer-driven health] plans can produce significant (even substantial) savings without adversely affecting member health status."

It's more than just hype. These products not only hold the key to wresting control of our health care from big brother, but putting it where it belongs - on the patients themselves.

Instant Insights /

Keeping health care out of Big Brother&#039;s hands

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Keeping health care out of Big Brother's hands