To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a temporary moratorium on certain taxes affecting purchases of prescription medication.

Bill: 115-hr-4618
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Jenkins, Lynn [R-KS-2]
Introduced: 2017-12-12
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance

Income tax deductions

Income tax exclusion

Prescription drugs

Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Latest action: action_date: 2017-12-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-12-12
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to temporarily permit tax-favored health savings accounts, Archer Medical Savings Accounts, health flexible spending arrangements, and health reimbursement arrangements to be used to purchase over-the-counter medicine that is not prescribed by a physician. The bill applies during the period beginning on January 1, 2018, and ending on December 31, 2019.</p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4618 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 12, 2017 Ms. Jenkins of Kansas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means A BILL To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a temporary moratorium on certain taxes affecting purchases of prescription medication.

1. Temporary moratorium on tax on over-the-counter medications (a) HSAs Subparagraph (A) of section 223(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking only if such and all that follows and by inserting only if— (i) such medicine or drug is a prescribed drug (determined without regard to whether such drug is available without a prescription) or is insulin, or (ii) such amount is paid during the period beginning on January 1, 2018, and ending on December 31, 2019. . (b) Archer MSAs Subparagraph (A) of section 220(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking only if such and all that follows and by and inserting only if— (i) such medicine or drug is a prescribed drug (determined without regard to whether such drug is available without a prescription) or is insulin, or (ii) such amount is paid during the period beginning on January 1, 2018, and ending on December 31, 2019. . (c) Health flexible spending arrangements and health reimbursement arrangements Subsection (f) of section 106 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking only if such and all that follows and by and inserting only if— (1) such medicine or drug is a prescribed drug (determined without regard to whether such drug is available without a prescription) or is insulin, or (2) such expense is incurred during the period beginning on January 1, 2018, and ending on December 31, 2019. . (d) Effective dates (1) Distributions from savings accounts The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply to amounts paid after December 31, 2017. (2) Reimbursements The amendment made by subsection (c) shall apply to expenses incurred after December 31, 2017.