Partnership for Employer-Sponsored Coverage Backs Pro-Consumer Reforms
WASHINGTON, DC (June 5, 2018): In advance of tomorrow’s U.S. House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee hearing on consumer-directed health products, the Partnership for Employer-Sponsored Coverage issued its endorsement of the Bipartisan HSA Improvement Act, H.R. 5138. The legislation is currently co-sponsored by the following members of the Ways and Means Committee: Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Erik Paulsen (R-MN), Ron Kind (D-WI), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Jason Smith (R-MO), and Carlos Curbelo (R-FL).
The Partnership for Employer-Sponsored Coverage issued its formal endorsement of the bipartisan legislation through a submission of a statement for the record provided to the committee. The Partnership, which is comprised of 14 leading national employment-based organizations, is committed to ensuring that that employer-sponsored coverage is strengthened and remains a viable, affordable option for millions of American workers and their families for decades to come.
“The Bipartisan HSA Improvement Act provides an employee with the ability to use their HSA on a larger variety of benefits offerings sponsored by their employer. This bipartisan legislation enables employees to use their HSA on such services as chronic care management, employer on-site clinics and gym memberships. H.R. 5138 takes an important step in updating the tax code to better align with expanded employer-sponsored benefits offerings,” said Christine Pollack, Executive Director of the Partnership for Employer-Sponsored Coverage.
#Voice4ESC:
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
“NAW supports measures that have the effect of giving employers more choices and greater flexibility in making high quality, affordable health coverage available to their employees. Enactment of the Bipartisan HSA Improvement Act would make an important contribution to that effort, and we are pleased to add our voice in support of this important legislation.” - Blake Adami, Vice President of Government Relations, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
International Franchise Association
“High healthcare costs affect all small businesses and their employees. Increased flexibility and competition in the marketplace can help lower these costs to better ensure affordable healthcarefor American workers. The HSA reforms in this bipartisan bill can benefit the millions of franchise employees throughout our country.” - Matt Haller, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Political Affairs, International Franchise Association
Retail Industry Leaders Association
“We thank Representatives Kelly and Blumenauer for their leadership in introducing the ‘Bipartisan HSA Improvement Act.’ Retailers are increasingly taking an innovative approach to customizing benefit designs and creating health plans that best meet the needs of their employees and families. This legislation will create more flexibility and value for retail employees who utilize HSAs. We look forward to working with Representatives Kelly, Blumenauer and other Members of Congress to pass this legislation.” - Jennifer Safavian, Executive Vice President, Retail Industry Leaders Association
National Retail Federation
“Consumer-directed health care plans continue to offer great promise but should be modernized to reflect changing needs and innovations in treatment options.” - Neil Trautwein, Vice President of Health Care Policy, National Retail Federation
National Association of Health Underwriters
“This common-sense bill would offer millions more families the benefits of HSAs. The proposed changes would make important changes that would make high-deductible HSA plans much more user-friendly and family-friendly. That means real savings for average families, not just those with high incomes.” - Janet Trautwein, CEO, National Association of Health Underwriters
Society for Human Resource Management
“As health care costs continue to increase, employers are restructuring their benefit offerings to include high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) coupled with an HSA. Given this trend, it is important that Congress update existing laws governing HSAs to ensure that employers have the flexibility to offer benefits that will meet the needs of employees and their families.” - Chatrane Birbal, Director of Congressional Affairs for Health and Employee Benefits Policy, Society for Human Resource Management
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The Partnership for Employer-Sponsored Coverage (P4ESC) is an advocacy alliance for employers of all sizes and the millions of hard working Americans and their families who rely on employer-sponsored coverage every day. Employer-sponsored coverage is the backbone of our nation’s health care system, insuring the lives of over 178 million Americans. P4ESC is working to ensure that employer-sponsored coverage is strengthened and remains a viable, affordable option for decades to come. Connect with us at www.p4esc.org or on Twitter at @P4ESC.