Walorski’s legislation would allow senior citizens to use HSAs to cover homecare

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) recently proposed a bipartisan bill that would permit America’s senior citizens to use their Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for homecare services.

“Seniors who face health challenges but want to continue living at home often rely on at-home care services like assistance with eating, bathing, or taking their medications,” Rep. Walorski said. “These services play a critical role in helping older Americans live healthier, more independent lives.”

Rep. Walorski on May 21 cosponsored the Homecare for Seniors Act, H.R. 2878, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) to allow tax-free distributions from HSAs to cover such qualified at-home services.

HSAs allow individuals to set aside pre-tax money to pay for medical expenses, but at-home care is not eligible under current law, according to information provided by Rep. Walorski’s office.

H.R. 2878, which has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, has the support of several groups, including the Homecare Association of America, the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, the National Alliance for Caregiving, the Alzheimer’s Foundation, and the Caregiver Action Network.

“With health care costs ever growing, the home is the ideal and most efficient setting for seniors in need of assistance with activities of daily living,” said Calvin McDaniel, director of government affairs for the National Association for Home Care and Hospice. “Relaxing restrictions on distributions of health savings account funds is a simple way to open up access to these services.”