[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 19 (Tuesday, February 8, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PATIENTS FREEDOM TO CHOOSE ACT

  (Mr. PAULSEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, later this week, I plan on introducing 
legislation, the Patients Freedom to Choose Act, along with Senator Kay 
Bailey Hutchison from Texas. This legislation would repeal two 
provisions of the new health care law that limit a patient's choice in 
how to use their consumer-directed health care plans.
  Beginning in 2013, contributions to flexible spending accounts will 
be limited by a new Federal cap of $2,500. The new health care law will 
also prohibit individuals from using their health savings accounts and 
their flexible spending accounts to purchase over-the-counter 
medication without a prescription from their doctor.
  Mr. Speaker, 10 million Americans now are enrolled in HSAs and over 
35 million people have FSAs, while 85 percent of all large employers 
offer them as a benefit to their employees. This legislation is needed 
because these two provisions in the health care law will punish 
families at a cost of over $5 billion.
  Instead of limiting options as is happening under this new health 
care law, we should be empowering patients by giving them increased 
access to affordable, quality care.

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