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"The combined cost of catastrophic insurance coverage and HSA contributions are usually less expensive than traditional coverage," the president said.

"That's important to know.

In other words, HSAs are making healthcare more affordable." The one-hour speech is part of a weeklong administration effort to draw public attention to its healthcare proposals.

Cabinet members are making appearances from New Hampshire to Washington state, and First Lady Laura Bush spoke Wednesday about heart disease in women at a medical center in North Carolina.

Separately, Ben Bernanke, the new chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, told the House Financial Services Committee on Wednesday that Congress must tackle rising healthcare costs, which he said were keeping insurance premiums high, forcing employers to cut plans or increase the amount employees must pay, and hampering the economy's efficiency and competitiveness.

The president's message drew sharp criticism, and the location of the speech was too delicious for some critics to resist.

"His healthcare scheme just helps the healthy and wealthy, and leaves the rest of America behind," said Sen.

Edward M.

Kennedy of Massachusetts, a leading Democratic spokesman on healthcare issues.

In his remarks, Bush said that "40% of those who own HSAs have family incomes below $50,000 a year." ...

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