[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 169 (Thursday, November 20, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H11659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
the conference report for H.R. 1, an historic bill that will include 
the creation of health savings accounts, a breakthrough program that 
gives control back to patients. The voluntary health savings accounts 
provide care that is affordable, flexible and portable. They restore 
the doctor-patient relationship, allowing Americans the freedom to 
choose their own doctor and their own care. Also, contributions, 
earnings and medical payments from these accounts are all tax-free.
  Health savings accounts will lower health insurance costs for 
millions of Americans and allow for price competition of doctor and 
hospital services. Moreover, these accounts stay with a person 
throughout their lives as they are portable from one job to the other. 
They also can be used during retirement to pay for retiree health care, 
Medicare expenses and prescription drugs.
  I strongly encourage my colleagues to support health savings accounts 
by voting in favor of H.R. 1 and give health care freedom to millions 
of Americans.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops. We will not forget September 11.

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