Health Savings and Affordability Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-2596
Sponsor: Rep. Thomas, William M. [R-CA-22]
Introduced: 2003-06-25 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Coinsurance
Commerce
Cost of living adjustments
Disabled
Economics and Public Finance
Employee health benefits
Finance and Financial Sector
Flexible benefit plans
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Health
Health insurance
Income tax
Indexing (Economic policy)
Insurance premiums
Labor and Employment
Medical economics
Medical savings accounts
Medically uninsured
Medicare
Payroll deductions
Preferred provider organizations (Medical care)
Preventive medicine
Social Welfare
Tax deductions
Tax exclusion
Tax penalties
Tax returns
Wages
Withholding tax

Summary:
action_date: 2003-06-25
text: Health Savings and Affordability Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited deduction (to both itemizers and nonitemizers) for contributions to health savings security accounts (accounts for medical expenses for anyone, except those with an individual deductible under $500 or $1,000 for a family) and health savings accounts (accounts for medical expenses for those in a high deductible plan, a plan with an individual deductible of $1,000 to $2,250 or $2,000 and $4,500 for a family and with individual out-of-pocket expenses not exceeding $3,000 or $5,500 for a family). Provides for cost-of-living adjustments to such amounts. Exempts such accounts, and distributions from such accounts, from taxation.
Allows up to $500 of unused health benefits in cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements to be carried forward to the next year, contributed to a health savings security or health savings account, or contributed to a qualified retirement plan.
Exempts flexible spending arrangements and health reimbursement arrangements treated as employer-provided coverage from information reporting requirements related to certain health arrangements.
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Health Savings and Affordability Act of 2003 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited deduction (to both itemizers and nonitemizers) for contributions to health savings security accounts (accounts for medical expenses for anyone, except those with an individual deductible under $500 or $1,000 for a family) and health savings accounts (accounts for medical expenses for those in a high deductible plan, a plan with an individual deductible of $1,000 to $2,250 or $2,000 and $4,500 for a family and with individual out-of-pocket expenses not exceeding $3,000 or $5,500 for a family). Provides for cost-of-living adjustments to such amounts. Exempts such accounts, and distributions from such accounts, from taxation.
Subjects employers making contributions to such accounts to an excise tax, if they do not make comparable contributions on behalf of all employees.
(Sec. 3) Allows up to $500 of unused health benefits in cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements to be carried forward to the next year, contributed to a health savings security or health savings account, or contributed to a qualified retirement plan.
(Sec. 4) Exempts flexible spending arrangements and health reimbursement arrangements treated as employer-provided coverage from information reporting requirements related to certain health arrangements.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-06-27
text: Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 299, H.R. 2596 is laid on the table.
action_date: 2003-06-27
text: Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 299, the text of H.R. 2596 was appended to the text of H.R. 1 as new matter.
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 237 - 191 (Roll no. 328). (text: CR H5992-5997)
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 237 - 191 (Roll no. 328).(text: CR H5992-5997)
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2596.
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1 and H.R. 2596 with 3 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order. Amendment in the nature of a substitute by, and if offered by, Mr. Rangel is debatable for one hour. H.R. 2596 shall be considered in the House and after final adoption, shall be appended to the text of H.R. 1. H.R. 2596 will then be laid on the table. Concurrent resolutions providing for adjournment of the House and Senate in July shall be in order for consideration. Finally, the Committee on Appropriations shall have until midnight on Thursday, July 3, 2003 to file a report making appropriations for
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 299. (consideration: CR H5952-6006)
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: Rule H. Res. 299 passed House.
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 299 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1 and H.R. 2596 with 3 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order. Amendment in the nature of a substitute by, and if offered by, Mr. Rangel is debatable for one hour. H.R. 2596 shall be considered in the House and after final adoption, shall be appended to the text of H.R. 1. H.R. 2596 will then be laid on the table. Concurrent resolutions providing for adjournment of the House and Senate in July shall be in order for consideration. Finally, the Committee on Appropriations shall have until midnight on Thursday, July 3, 2003 to file a report making appropriations for
action_date: 2003-06-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2003-06-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-06-25
text: Introduced in House