Ok, I read through various posts and it seemed like some threads were interpreting the change in a different way and responding in ways that weren't really relevant.
My take is that, regardless of the intended purpose of the hbd_print_rate param, the idea being presented is to reduce spending from the DHF under 'stressful' circumstances for the economy.

So, yes, the intended idea adds a new use to this param (but I appreciate that Igor's words made it sound like something else) - I'm just going by the code. It may be that the proposed mechanism is poor compared to more deeply considered alternatives.

I am somewhat neutral on the proposal because I think the DHF will continue to be largely dysfunctional unless it is replaced/upgraded by a system that is more aligned with the way corporations handle works tasks - tenders and accountability. Everything else is likely going to just be a bandaid on a leaky sieve.