[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 109 (Thursday, July 7, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H4474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RESTORING ACCESS TO MEDICATION ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Missouri (Mrs. Wagner) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Restoring 
Access to Medication Act, introduced by my good friend and colleague, 
Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins.
  Mr. Speaker, for far too long, Missouri families have suffered from 
the never-ending financial burdens and health consequences imposed by 
the Affordable Care Act. From limited access to physicians to 
skyrocketing premiums, ObamaCare has failed our country and our people.
  For years, Missouri families have used health savings accounts and 
flexible spending accounts as an important tool to save and help pay 
their medical expenses, including over-the-counter drugs. In the United 
States, more than 20 million individuals and families have taken 
advantage of HSAs and FSAs. They have counted on them to help protect 
against unexpected healthcare expenses and better plan for medical 
costs throughout the year.
  Under ObamaCare, the administration did its best to get rid of these 
HSAs and FSAs by limiting the amount of savings people could contribute 
to them and how that money could be used. They even mandate that funds 
in HSAs and FSAs cannot be used to purchase over-the-counter 
medications without a prescription from a physician. Simply put, this 
administration added yet another layer of ``Washington knows best'' red 
tape to how to spend your money and how to manage your health care.
  As a mother of three, I remember sick children, cold and flu seasons, 
and late-night runs to the drugstore for cough syrup and fever 
reducers. I know that these unexpected expenses directly impact 
families that are fighting to make ends meet. Adding another doctor's 
visit just so you can use your already saved money to purchase over-
the-counter medications is unfair, it is wrong, and it is downright 
senseless.
  The Restoring Access to Medication Act will repeal this portion of 
the law that unfairly targets pocketbooks and reduces access to 
everyday medications like aspirin and allergy relief. This legislation 
will put Americans back in the driver's seat, restoring control of the 
family's day-to-day health expenses and needs.
  Mr. Speaker, in addition to this legislation increasing access to 
over-the-counter medications that families need, it allows Americans 
to, most importantly, increase the amount of money they contribute to 
their health savings accounts. While doubling the amount both 
individuals and families can contribute to their accounts in 2017, this 
new law will also have a net decrease of $2.2 billion for our Federal 
budget over the fiscal years 2016 through 2026.
  Mr. Speaker, I am thrilled that the House has passed this bipartisan, 
commonsense legislation which places the healthcare needs of families 
above the liberal interests of bureaucrats in Washington. It will save 
families money and put them further in control of their healthcare 
decisions, something the ever-failing Affordable Care Act will never 
do.

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