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Health Care
Americans have the best health care in the world. Having access to our world-class health care services is a priority for Congressman Royce. It is important that every American is able to choose affordable health care that meets their needs. This means building upon and improving the quality of health care and making sure that doctors and patients, alike, have access to all the tools and information they need.
Royce has been working for several years now to implement legislation that would allow workers to keep and roll over unused funds in their employer-provided Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). Currently, employees can set aside money before taxes into an FSA to pay for health care, such as medical expenses, insurance co-payments, deductibles, and even childcare. Money in the account works like cash to be spent on their health care needs, which broadens their choice outside of their health-plan options. Unfortunately, unused money in a FSA reverts to their employer at the end of the year.
This bill cleared a major hurdle when is cleared the House in May 2004. The Senate has yet to act on this important legislation that would allow workers and families to save and spend on their health care as they see fit.
To confront the growing cost of prescription drugs for our seniors, Congress passed legislation to overhaul Medicare in 2003. This legislation created a prescription drug discount card for seniors, which became available on June 1, 2004. The discount cards will allow seniors to save 15 to 30 percent off the usual retail price of most brand name drugs and more on generic drugs at neighborhood pharmacies.
Seniors can learn how to sign up for the card and find the best card for them by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or by visiting www.medicare.gov. In about 15 minutes Medicare customer service representatives will review the caller's drug needs and help them select the card that best meets those needs.
Royce is also supportive of Health Savings Accounts (HSA), which were created as part of the 2003 Medicare law. HSAs are a new way that people can pay for medical expenses not covered by insurance or other reimbursements. Eligible individuals can establish and fund these accounts when they have a qualifying high deductible health plan (at least $1,000 for single and $2,000 for family coverage) and no other health insurance, with some exceptions. The accounts have tax advantages that can be significant: contributions are deductible, withdrawals used for medical expenses are not taxed, and account earnings are tax-exempt. Unused balances may accumulate without limit.
Royce is also concerned about the ability of small businesses to offer quality health care coverage options for their employees and the rising health care costs as a result of frivolous lawsuits.
Related
Documents:
Press Releases
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Rep. Ed Royce Pledges to Work to Find Solutions to the Healthcare Crisis Facing Small Businesses
6.16.2008
Columns and Opinions
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Prescription Drug Cards Deliver Savings to Seniors
6.29.2004
Columns and Opinions
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Royce's Flexible Spending Account Bill Passes House
6.29.2004
Ed in the News
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"House Republicans try new tactic on health bills" - from the Orange County Register
5.16.2004
Press Releases
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Small Business Health Fairness Act Clears House
5.13.2004
More Documents...
Related Files:
Guide to Choosing a Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card
Introducing Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Cards
Overview of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003
Medical Malpractice Liability Reform: Legal Issues and Fifty-State Survey of Caps on Punitive Damages and Noneconomic Damages
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