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Bill > S403


US S403

Health Savings Act of 2017


summary

Introduced
02/15/2017
In Committee
02/15/2017
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2018

Introduced Session

115th Congress

Bill Summary

Health Savings Act of 2017 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to health savings accounts (HSAs), to: rename high deductible health plans as HSA-qualified health plans; allow spouses who have both attained age 55 to make catch-up contributions to the same HSA; make Medicare Part A (hospital insurance benefits) beneficiaries eligible to participate in an HSA; allow individuals eligible for hospital care or medical services under a program of the Indian Health Service or a tribal organization to participate in an HSA; allow members of a health care sharing ministry to participate in an HSA; allow individuals who receive primary care services in exchange for a fixed periodic fee or payment, or who receive health care benefits from an onsite medical clinic of an employer, to participate in an HSA; include amounts paid for prescription and over-the-counter medicines or drugs as "qualified medical expenses" for which distributions from an HSA or other tax-preferred savings accounts may be used; increase the limits on HSA contributions to match the sum of the annual deductible and out-of-pocket expenses permitted under a high deductible health plan; and allow HSA distributions to be used to purchase health insurance coverage. The bill also: (1) amends the federal bankruptcy code to exempt HSAs from creditor claims in bankruptcy, and (2) amends the Social Security Act to reauthorize Medicaid health opportunity accounts. The bill allows a medical care tax deduction for: (1) exercise equipment, physical fitness programs, and membership at a fitness facility; (2) nutritional and dietary supplements; and (3) periodic fees paid to a primary care physician and amounts paid for pre-paid primary care services.

AI Summary

This bill, the Health Savings Act of 2017, amends the Internal Revenue Code to: - Rename "high deductible health plans" as "HSA-qualified health plans" and make various changes to expand access to and improve coverage under health savings accounts (HSAs). Key changes include allowing spouses to both contribute to the same HSA, making Medicare Part A beneficiaries and certain other individuals eligible for HSAs, and increasing the limits on HSA contributions to match the sum of the annual deductible and out-of-pocket expenses under the HSA-qualified health plan. - Allow HSA distributions to be used to purchase health insurance coverage, including Medicare Part A and certain other types of health plans. - Treat certain expenses like exercise equipment, nutritional supplements, and periodic fees to primary care providers as qualifying "medical care" expenses eligible for tax-preferred treatment through HSAs and other accounts. - Exempt HSAs from creditor claims in bankruptcy and reauthorize Medicaid health opportunity accounts. Overall, the bill aims to expand access to and enhance the benefits of HSAs to make it easier for individuals to save for and pay for their healthcare expenses in a tax-preferred manner.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (on 02/15/2017)

bill text


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