Protecting Life in Health Savings Accounts Act
Protecting Life in Health Savings Accounts Act
Plain Language Summary
# Protecting Life in Health Savings Accounts Act (HR 720) - Summary **What the Bill Would Do** This bill would prevent people from using Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and similar tax-advantaged savings accounts to pay for abortion expenses. Currently, these accounts allow people to set aside pre-tax money for qualified medical expenses. If passed, abortion costs would no longer qualify as eligible expenses—with two exceptions: abortions resulting from rape or incest, and abortions necessary to protect a woman's life or health due to a medical condition, as certified by a physician. **Who It Affects** The bill would impact anyone who uses HSAs, Archer Medical Savings Accounts, flexible spending arrangements, health reimbursement arrangements, or retiree health accounts.
These accounts are commonly offered through employers and used by millions of Americans to manage healthcare costs. **Current Status** The bill was introduced by Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House. It has not been enacted into law.
CRS Official Summary
Protecting Life in Health Savings Accounts ActThis bill excludes expenses paid for an abortion from qualified medical expenses eligible for reimbursement from certain tax-exempt savings accounts. (Some exceptions apply.)Under the bill, amounts paid for an abortion, other than an excluded abortion, are not qualified medical expenses eligible for reimbursement from a health savings account, Archer medical savings account, health flexible spending arrangement, health reimbursement arrangement, or retiree health account.The bill defines excluded abortion as any abortion (1) related to a pregnancy that is the result of rape or incest; or (2) performed because a woman is suffering from a physical disorder, injury, or illness (including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself) that would, as certified by a physician, place the woman in danger of death if an abortion were not performed.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.