The U.S. House of Representatives on March 4 approved bipartisan legislation offered by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) to expand treatment options provided through employers’ healthcare coverage for Americans living with chronic diseases. The U.S. Senate received the bill for action on March 5.
“I’m proud that this legislation passed the House with unanimous bipartisan support and I look forward to getting this bill signed into law,” said Rep. Buchanan, who on Feb. 4 sponsored the Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act, H.R. 919, with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA).
If enacted, H.R. 919 would codify Internal Revenue Service guidance related to the treatment of certain services and items for chronic conditions as meeting the preventive care deductible safe harbor for purposes of high deductible health plans in connection with health savings accounts, according to the text of the bill.
“With six in 10 Americans living with at least one chronic disease, it is clear that we must expand options for people to manage their chronic health conditions,” said Rep. Buchanan. “The Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act offers employees more flexibility to manage their chronic diseases, improving patient health while reducing high out-of-pocket costs.”
Specifically, H.R. 919 would allow employers who offer high-deductible health plan coverage for their employees the option of including pre-deductible coverage for 14 chronic healthcare services that treat common chronic illnesses. Such services include beta-blockers for patients with congestive heart failure, blood pressure monitors for patients with high blood pressure, and testing for patients with heart disease, among others.
Additionally, the bill would ensure the list of services can continue to be expanded upon as needed, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Buchanan’s staff.
H.R. 919 is supported by the National Federation of Independent Business, the National Small Business Association, the Primary Care Collaborative, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the American Benefits Council, the Smarter Health Care Coalition, the Alliance to Fight for Health Care, the Health Savings Account Council, and the American College of Preventive Medicine.