Pete Stark: “Our Democratic substitute addresses a real issue of concern with respect to flexible spending accounts in the…”

“Our Democratic substitute addresses a real issue of concern with respect to flexible spending accounts in the use-it-or-lose-it rule. We agree with the author of this legislation that it is unwise to create an incentive for people to spend foolishly or frivolously for a benefit that they might lose, and we have the Washington Business Group and 50 major corporate members are clear on the issue. They want the changes and they want the money carried over into FSAs. The position is shared by their employees. The real question here is whether we should pay for this. And it will be expensive. It is $8 billion. That is money that could be used in many programs, education programs, environmental programs, health programs, and it is a principle to which we are dedicated, and that is that we would like to expand health care in this country, but we have never offered a plan that we will not pay for.”