I understand the economically rational, short-term goal in any given private sector to seek to maximize profits. I question the short-term objectives enabled by such less market friendly policy, not the profit motive.

One welfare-state public policy could be to have consumer and market friendly financial tools available in order to foster more activity in (add liquidity to) the markets.

I think a more appropriate use of public sector interference would be to use the scale economies made possible by its consumer base; to create or expand more public sector research and development capability in the pharmaceutical sector, in order to reduce the cost of basic research and development to the private sector.

A goal of this type of policy would be to help reduce time to market for the private sector and lower private sector costs in research and development. The private sector can benefit from economies of scale that result from using the product of existing public sector research and development institutions.

Does anyone have a rational for requiring an HDHP to qualify for an HSA?

It would make better sense, from a consumer point of view, to be able to open an HSA account, and eventually obtain an HDHP or other qualifying health care related insurance product, before payment can be disbursed from that account.

If there is any public sector interference at all, it should only affect the consumer in how that health care capital fund is spent, and not impose a barrier on the accumulation of health care capital.