“CHPA congratulates Representatives Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), Ron Kind (D-WI), and Grace Meng (D-NY) on the House of Representatives’ passage of H.R. 6199, legislation that will restore consumers’ ability to use their Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs) to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. We also applaud members for expanding the bipartisan efforts around this bill by extending HSA/FSA eligibility to feminine hygiene products.
“Millions of American families rely on FSAs, HSAs, and other tax-preferred accounts to purchase a wide range of healthcare products and services, but since 2011, a provision in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has prevented consumers from using savings from these accounts to purchase OTC medicines without a prescription.
“Representatives Jenkins, Kind, and Meng’s bill is common-sense legislation and good health policy for many families who depend on non-prescription OTC medicines to treat common ailments such as allergies, cough and colds, or pain. It’s also good policy for the healthcare system at-large. Every dollar spent by consumers on OTC medicines saves the U.S. healthcare system $6-$7, contributing a total of $102 billion in savings each year by reducing unnecessary physician visits and utilizing cheaper treatment options.
“According to a survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of CHPA, the majority of Americans (75%) favor including OTCs in FSAs and HSAs. These tax-preferred accounts are utilized by over 50 million Americans today. This bipartisan legislation is also supported by the Health Choices Coalition — representing physicians, dentists, consumers, retailers, manufacturers, pharmacies, pharmacists, patients, insurers, small businesses, and large employers.”
