Dietary Supplements Access Act introduced by LaHood, Curtis

A bipartisan bill recently offered by U.S. Reps. Darin LaHood (R-IL) and John Curtis (R-UT) would reimburse Americans with health-related savings accounts for their out-of-pocket costs associated with nutritional and dietary supplements.

“Ensuring that Americans are able to utilize their Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Savings Accounts (FSAs) as a tool to make personal healthcare choices for their families remains one of my priorities,” Rep. LaHood said on July 20. “As enrollment in HSA’s continues to grow, our bill would remove unnecessary barriers to better meet the needs of consumers. 

“This bipartisan approach would allow over-the-counter nutrition and dietary supplements to be considered as qualified medical expenses under HSAs and FSAs so that a patient can choose to utilize their health savings dollars to access these dietary supplements,” added the congressman.

Rep. LaHood sponsored the Dietary Supplements Access Act, H.R. 4794, with lead original cosponsor Rep. Curtis and two other original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA), to modernize the availability and coverage of vitamins and minerals, and recognize the valuable role nutritional supplements play in helping to achieve better health outcomes and promote cost savings, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.

“The bipartisan legislation is a big deal for Utahns who use these products to maintain a healthy lifestyle,” said Rep. Curtis. “This bill also sends a clear message to consumers that Congress is serious about giving more Americans choice in how they take care of their health care needs, as well as the importance of proactive care. What works for one person may not work for another, and too often one-size-fits-all policymaking leads to higher costs for consumers and their families.”

If enacted, H.R. 4794 specifically would amend the Internal Revenue Code to include over-the-counter dietary supplement products as a qualified medical expense, allowing Americans to use HSAs or FSAs to purchase dietary supplements, the summary says.

“More than 22 million Americans have chosen to enroll in a health savings account coupled with a consumer-direct health plan,” said Rep Boyle. “Given this substantial demand, action should be taken to better meet consumer needs. This legislation will serve to remove many impediments to self-care, with the goal of creating a sensible path toward better health for all.”

H.R. 4794 is supported by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the American Herbal Products Association, the Council for Responsible Nutrition, the Natural Products Association, and the United Natural Products Alliance.