[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 91 (Thursday, June 19, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H5554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SUPPORT HEALTH ACCESS AND FLEXIBILITY ACT

  (Mr. BURGESS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about H.R. 2114, the 
Health Access and Flexibility Act.
  This bill, Mr. Speaker, will increase access to consumer-based health 
coverage for all Americans, regardless of income. Under H.R. 2114, the 
availability of Medical Savings Accounts will be greatly expanded and 
it will create similar types of accounts for low-income Americans.
  Since the mid-1990s, Medical Savings Accounts have allowed their 
owners to purchase health services tax free by building funds in 
interest earning accounts. Medical Savings Accounts promote savings and 
direct health care purchasing and are designed to simplify the doctor-
patient relationship.
  As a physician, I know firsthand the difficulty that some patients 
have working through their insurance companies and what services are 
covered by their policies. With Medical Savings Accounts, patients can 
focus their attention on their medical care and they can discuss their 
needs with their doctors frankly and honestly, and they can proceed 
with appropriate treatment when medical care is necessary.
  Unfortunately, these innovative savings tools are severely restricted 
and there have been caps placed on the number of the Medical Savings 
Accounts established in any given year.

                          ____________________