Protecting Life in Health Savings Accounts Act
Protecting Life in Health Savings Accounts Act
Plain Language Summary
# Summary of S 251: Protecting Life in Health Savings Accounts Act **What the bill would do:** This bill would prevent people from using tax-advantaged savings accounts—such as Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and similar accounts—to pay for abortion expenses. Currently, these accounts allow people to set aside pre-tax money for qualified medical expenses. The bill would remove abortion from the list of eligible expenses, with two exceptions: abortions performed in cases of rape or incest, or when a physician certifies that the pregnancy poses a risk to the woman's life or health. **Who it affects:** This legislation would impact anyone using these savings accounts who might seek abortion care.
It would primarily affect individuals and families with employer-sponsored or self-managed health savings plans. **Current status:** The bill was introduced by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate. No action has been taken since its introduction.
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
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.