Oral Health Products Inclusion Act
Oral Health Products Inclusion Act
Plain Language Summary
# Oral Health Products Inclusion Act (HR 1219) Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill would expand the types of expenses people can pay for using tax-advantaged health savings accounts. Specifically, it would allow people to use funds from Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and Archer Medical Savings Accounts to purchase toothbrushes (manual or electric), water flossers, and over-the-counter oral health products designed to prevent or treat cavities. Currently, these accounts typically cover only prescribed medical expenses, and using them for dental care products like toothbrushes results in taxes and penalties. **Who It Affects:** This bill would benefit millions of Americans who have access to these employer-sponsored or individual health savings accounts.
It would particularly help people looking to reduce out-of-pocket costs for routine dental care products. Employers who offer these accounts and health insurance companies administering them would also be affected, as they would need to adjust their policies to allow these new expense categories. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. It was introduced by Representative Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ).
CRS Official Summary
Oral Health Products Inclusion ActThis bill allows individuals to use funds in a flexible spending arrangement (FSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), health savings account (HSA), or Archer medical savings account (Archer MSA) to pay for toothbrushes (manual or electric), water flossers, and oral health products.Under current law, reimbursements from an FSA or HRA and tax-free distributions from an HSA or Archer MSA may be used to pay for the qualified medical expenses. Reimbursements from an FSA or HRA for nonmedical expenses generally are not allowed and distributions from an HSA or Archer MSA for nonmedical expenses generally are taxed as income and may be subject to an additional penalty.Under the bill, the definition of qualified medical expenses is expanded to include toothbrushes (manual or electric), water flossers, and oral health products.The bill defines an oral health product as an over-the-counter product that is (1) used for preventing or treating dental cavities, plaque, or gingivitis; (2) suitable for topical administration to the teeth or gums; and (3) generally recognized as safe and effective.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.