Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB3608

Introduced
1/17/24  

Caption

Protecting Life in Health Savings Accounts Act

Impact

If enacted, SB3608 would significantly impact the financial implications for individuals utilizing HSAs to cover medical expenses related to abortion. By disallowing such reimbursements for abortions not covered under the defined exclusions, the bill effectively alters how individuals may allocate their tax-advantaged funds for reproductive health services. As a result, women could face increased out-of-pocket expenses for abortion services, potentially limiting their access to these procedures.

Summary

SB3608, titled the 'Protecting Life in Health Savings Accounts Act', aims to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The bill specifically prohibits the treatment of certain distributions and reimbursements for abortions as qualified medical expenses under health savings accounts (HSAs) and other tax-advantaged accounts. The proposed legislation delineates certain types of abortions that would be excluded from this prohibition, including those resulting from rape, incest, or medical necessity that endangers the woman's life. This exclusion seeks to address concerns around women facing serious health risks or traumatic situations.

Contention

The discussion surrounding SB3608 is likely to be contentious, reflecting the broader societal debates over reproductive rights and health care access. Proponents may argue that the bill reinforces the sanctity of life by ensuring public funds (via tax advantages) are not used to support abortions. Conversely, opponents may highlight the potential burdens placed on women who need comprehensive healthcare and argue that it undermines women's rights to make personal medical decisions. The political implications may also resonate, as this bill ties into larger narratives around healthcare affordability and women's rights.

Companion Bills

US HB8049

Same As Protecting Life in Health Savings Accounts Act

Previously Filed As

US HB8049

Protecting Life in Health Savings Accounts Act

US HB6857

Simplify and Expand Health Savings Accounts Act

US SB5297

Health Savings Accounts For All Act of 2024

US SB251

Protecting Life in Health Savings Accounts ActThis bill excludes expenses paid for an abortion from qualified medical expenses eligible for reimbursement from certain tax-exempt savings accounts. (Some exceptions apply.)Under the bill, amounts paid for an abortion, other than an excluded abortion, are not qualified medical expenses eligible for reimbursement from a health savings account, Archer medical savings account, health flexible spending arrangement, health reimbursement arrangement, or retiree health account.The bill defines excluded abortion as any abortion (1) related to a pregnancy that is the result of rape or incest; or (2) performed because a woman is suffering from a physical disorder, injury, or illness (including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself) that would, as certified by a physician, place the woman in danger of death if an abortion were not performed.

US HB720

Protecting Life in Health Savings Accounts ActThis bill excludes expenses paid for an abortion from qualified medical expenses eligible for reimbursement from certain tax-exempt savings accounts. (Some exceptions apply.)Under the bill, amounts paid for an abortion, other than an excluded abortion, are not qualified medical expenses eligible for reimbursement from a health savings account, Archer medical savings account, health flexible spending arrangement, health reimbursement arrangement, or retiree health account.The bill defines excluded abortion as any abortion (1) related to a pregnancy that is the result of rape or incest; or (2) performed because a woman is suffering from a physical disorder, injury, or illness (including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself) that would, as certified by a physician, place the woman in danger of death if an abortion were not performed.

US HB313

Small Business Emergency Savings Accounts Act of 2023 This bill allows a new tax deduction from gross income for amounts paid into a small business emergency savings account. Such savings accounts are established exclusively to pay the qualified disaster and public health emergency expenses of the account beneficiary. The bill defines qualified disaster and public health emergency expenses as disaster loss replacement expenses, disaster recovery operations expenses, and public health emergency expenses.

US HB7093

Public Health Emergency Accountability Act

US HB312

Emergency Savings Accounts Act of 2023 This bill allows an individual taxpayer occupying a residence a deduction from gross income for up to $5,000 of amounts paid into such taxpayer's emergency savings account. The bill defines emergency savings account as an account established exclusively to pay the qualified disaster and public health emergency expenses of the account beneficiary. The bill defines qualified disaster and public health emergency expenses as disaster mitigation expenses, disaster recovery expenses, public health emergency expenses, and unemployment-related expenses.

US SB3673

Affordable Housing and Homeownership Protection Act of 2024

US SB3713

Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act of 2024

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.