Cramer introduces bill to increase consumer choice, reduce health care costs

 

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a Senate Banking Committee member, introduced legislation this week to allow dietary supplements to be purchased with Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Flexible Savings Accounts (FSA), and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA).

“Nutritional supplements help lower health care costs and keep Americans healthy,” said Senator Cramer. “By modernizing the rules for savings and spending accounts, our bill would save taxpayer funds, increase consumer choice, and encourage people to invest in their health and wellness.”

Senator Cramer’s bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code to designate certain over-the counter dietary supplement products as qualified medical expenses. It is endorsed by the National Products Association (NPA).

“The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that we need to be giving people more avenues and opportunities to save money in preventative health care costs.  This is a commonsense solution that will save patients and taxpayers money,” said Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D., President and CEO of NPA.  “Too much of our focus, in this country is on disease treatment rather than prevention. This simple change in our regulations promotes the proactive, preventive approach that we need to adopt if we wish to improve our nation’s health and manage healthcare costs.”

Click here for text of the bill.