On the recordJune 21, 2016
I thank Chairman Brady of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Congressman Paulsen, Congresswoman Noem, and Congressman Blumenauer for cosponsoring this bipartisan legislation. I also thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin) for his comments. This legislation today before the House, H.R. 5452, will improve access to health savings accounts for Native Americans who choose to receive care at Indian Health Service facilities by ending an unnecessary penalty against them. Currently, Native Americans are not allowed to contribute to their own health savings accounts for 3 months after receiving care at an Indian Health Service facility. These accounts can be a useful tool for families to cover the cost of deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. However, current policy prevents this ability for Native Americans, and the 3-month waiting period limits their access to services that can help with treating high-risk health conditions. This commonsense legislation eliminates the waiting period so Native Americans don't have to wait to save their hard-earned money to make their own healthcare choices and to receive treatment from Indian Health Service doctors. Today's legislation advances a bipartisan, patient-centered solution to an unfortunate, government-created problem. It will benefit all Native Americans who use HSAs, and I am glad that we can eliminate this unfair Federal penalty against them. I thank my colleagues for their support of this legislation.
