Title: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the 15th anniversary of the creation of Health Savings Accounts should be remembered as a turning point in the history of health care in the United States.
Policy area: Health

Summary:
Commemorates the 15th anniversary of the creation of health savings accounts (HSAs).
Expresses support for the expansion of HSAs in public insurance programs.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1184 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1184

  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the 15th 
   anniversary of the creation of Health Savings Accounts should be 
  remembered as a turning point in the history of health care in the 
                             United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 20, 2018

 Mr. Paulsen submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Ways and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the 15th 
   anniversary of the creation of Health Savings Accounts should be 
  remembered as a turning point in the history of health care in the 
                             United States.

Whereas Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) were created in section 223 of the 
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, 
        Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-173);
Whereas, December 8, 2018, marks the 15th anniversary of the enactment of Health 
        Savings Accounts;
Whereas an increasing number of Americans are facing rising out-of-pocket health 
        care costs as they struggle to find affordable coverage;
Whereas Health Savings Accounts help more than 20 million Americans pay for out-
        of-pocket health care costs;
Whereas there are more than 23 million Health Savings Accounts holding more than 
        $51,000,000,000 in assets;
Whereas a Health Savings Account paired with HSA-qualified insurance provides 
        protection against future high or unexpected medical bills;
Whereas a HSA provides triple tax savings including--

    (1) tax deductions when funds are deposited into the account;

    (2) tax-free earnings through investment; and

    (3) tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses;

Whereas funds in Health Savings Accounts do not expire at the end of each 
        calendar year and roll over automatically from one year to the next, 
        accumulating over time;
Whereas there are no ``use it or lose it'' rules for HSAs;
Whereas funds in a Health Savings Account may be used to pay for current medical 
        expenses, or saved for future needs, such as--

    (1) medical expenses not covered by health insurance;

    (2) health insurance premiums or out-of-pocket medical expenses if 
unemployed;

    (3) out-of-pocket medical expenses after retirement;

    (4) out-of-pocket expenses for individuals covered by Medicare; and

    (5) long-term care expenses and insurance;

Whereas funds in Health Savings Accounts may be invested in the same types of 
        investments permitted for Individual Retirement Accounts;
Whereas Health Savings Account owners control all the decisions about--

    (1) which financial institution to hold deposits in the account;

    (2) how much money to deposit into the account;

    (3) whether to save the money in the account for future expenses or pay 
current medical expenses;

    (4) which medical expenses to pay from the account;

    (5) whether to invest any of the money in the account; and

    (6) which investments to make; and

Whereas Health Savings Accounts are completely portable, meaning account owners 
        may keep their HSA even if they--

    (1) change jobs;

    (2) become unemployed;

    (3) change their health insurance policy;

    (4) change their marital status; or

    (5) move to another State: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commemorates the 15th anniversary of the creation of 
        Health Savings Accounts;
            (2) commends those individuals and organizations that have 
        brought Health Savings Accounts and their associated HSA-
        qualified health plans to American consumers, including 
        employers, insurers, banks, credit unions, and third-party 
        administrators;
            (3) recognizes the current and former staff of the 
        Department of the Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service, and 
        the Department of Labor in shaping the policies and 
        implementation of Health Savings Accounts;
            (4) encourages all Americans to consider participating in a 
        Health Savings Account to help them pay for their out-of-pocket 
        health care expenses and plan for their future expenses in 
        retirement; and
            (5) supports the expansion of Health Savings Accounts in 
        public insurance programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, 
        and the Veterans Affairs health system.
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