Congress should expand Health Savings Accounts in next coronavirus relief package

Published April 8, 2020 4:00am ET



In the face of the coronavirus pandemic, policymakers are rightly leaving no stone unturned for proposals that can help mitigate the economic and healthcare damage caused by the virus. While Congress recently passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to help citizens through this crisis, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said there will likely be additional legislation in the coming weeks or months focusing on healthcare measures.

One policy that should be considered in this “Phase 4” bill is an expansion of tax-advantaged health savings accounts, or HSAs, through the Pandemic Healthcare Access Act. This legislation, introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Ted Budd, lifts the mandate that a HSA can only be paired with a high-deductible health plan for the duration of the coronavirus emergency.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.