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).