A press release from Congressman Peter Roskam:

Roskam leads legislation that brings choice to the healthcare market

Washington, D.C. – Today the Ways and Means Committee moved 11 bills that expand access to Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and provide market flexibility. Currently, HSA’s provide coverage to more than 25 million Americans, offering a cost effective alternative to Obamacare. HSA’s save both individual policy holders and taxpayers money by promoting consumer driven healthcare, using market competition to keep down costs.

Representative Peter Roskam (R-IL), Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, along with Subcommittee member Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA) introduced H.R. 6301 – the Provide High Deductible Health Plans with First Dollar Coverage Flexibility Act. This bill allows insurance plans to offer coverage for high-value, low-cost services like telehealth; chronic disease management such as diabetic test strips; or primary care visits. This bill gives consumers the choice and flexibility they need to engage in their healthcare and incentivizes early intervention which will mitigate healthcare costs down the line.

Click the image below to watch Rep. Roskam’s opening statement.

H.R. 6314, the Health Savings Act of 2018, introduced by Representative Roskam and Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chairman Michael Burgess (R-TX) would allow lowest-cost, catastrophic, and bronze plans to qualify for HSA contributions.

Currently, consumers who choose these low premium plans are disqualified from attaining an HSA. This bill is a simple but powerful fix that drives consumer choice by allowing an individual to select the coverage that is best for their circumstance.

H.R. 6311, the Increasing Access to Lower Premium Plans Act of 2018, led by Representative Roskam and Representative Burgess, provides a much needed off-ramp from Obamacare’s rising premiums.

Tax credits provided under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are only available to offset the cost of bronze, silver, gold or platinum health plans that are sold on the government-run health insurance exchange. Catastrophic plans, which are the lowest cost premium plans available, are not eligible for these tax credits. H.R. 6311 would allow the premium tax credit to be used for qualified plans offered outside the government exchanges and healthcare.gov.

• Townhall: New Bill Offers Consumers A Way Out From Flawed Obamacare Exchanges
• Tax Foundation: Ways & Means Committee Mark Ups Include Changes to Health-Care Related Taxes
• Politico: Markup Season
• eHealth Analysis: Proposed House Bill 6311 Could Save Pre-Retirees Over $4,600 Per Year on Health Insurance Premiums

“Health care reform should empower individuals and families to make decisions for themselves based on what fits their needs and budget,” said Roskam. “One of the best tools we have to accomplish this goal is consumer-directed health plans that are paired with Health Savings Accounts or HSA’s.”