H.R. 2639House110th Congress (2007-2009)In Committee

Promoting Health for Future Generations Act of 2007

Introduced June 11, 2007

Legislative Activity

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5 earlier actions
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H9191)

July 31, 2007

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 11, 2007

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H6245)

June 11, 2007

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

June 11, 2007

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

June 11, 2007

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H7209)

June 27, 2007

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H9191)

July 31, 2007

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.R. 2639 on the floor

1 Republican
Charles W. Boustany, Jr.
Rep. Charles W. Boustany, Jr.R-LA-7 · Jul 31, 2007

Mr. Speaker, according to Medicare trustees, that program requires an immediate 51 percent cut, a payroll tax increase of 122 percent, or a blend of both to keep the program running during the next…

Charles W. Boustany, Jr.
Rep. Charles W. Boustany, Jr.R-LA-7 · Jun 27, 2007

Mr. Speaker, a recent article in The Washington Post highlights the importance of expanding health savings accounts for America's families. The article mentioned a woman who switched to an HSA with a…

Charles W. Boustany, Jr.
Rep. Charles W. Boustany, Jr.R-LA-7 · Jun 12, 2007

Mr. Speaker, health savings accounts are one of the best ways to put families back in control of their health care destiny. HSAs have expanded coverage, but Congress needs to make them more practical…

Charles W. Boustany, Jr.
Rep. Charles W. Boustany, Jr.R-LA-7 · Oct 16, 2007

Madam Speaker, I am pleased that a report by AARP acknowledged consumer-directed health plans often provide more freedom of choice, lower premiums while giving consumers more control over their…

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued June 11, 2007

I

110th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2639

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 11, 2007

Mr. Boustany introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the rules with respect to health savings accounts and medical savings accounts, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Promoting Health for Future Generations Act of 2007.

2.

Increase in HSA contribution limitation

(a)

In general

Subsection (b) of section 223 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to monthly limitation) is amended—

(1)

by striking $2,250 in paragraph (2)(A) and inserting the amount in effect under subsection (c)(2)(A)(ii)(I), and

(2)

by striking $4,500 in paragraph (2)(B) and inserting the amount in effect under subsection (c)(2)(A)(ii)(II).

(b)

Conforming amendment

Paragraph (1) of section 223(g) of such Code is amended by striking subsections (b)(2) and inserting subsection.

(c)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to contributions in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.

3.

Medicare and VA healthcare enrollees eligible to contribute to HSA

(a)

In general

(1)

Subsection (b) of section 223 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking paragraph (7).

(2)

Subsection (c) of section 223 of such Code (relating to definitions and special rules) is amended by adding at the end to following new paragraph:

(6)

Special rule for individuals entitled to benefits under Medicare or enrolled for health benefits from VA

In the case of an individual—

(A)
(i)

who is entitled to benefits under title XVIII of the Social Security Act, and

(ii)

with respect to whom a health savings account is established in a month before the first month such individual is entitled to such benefits, or

(B)
(i)

who is enrolled in the patient enrollment system established by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs pursuant to section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, and

(ii)

with respect to whom a health savings account is established in a month before the first month such individual is enrolled in such system,

such individual shall be deemed to be an eligible individual.

.

(b)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.

4.

Expanding additional contributions limitation

(a)

In general

(1)

Age limitation

Subparagraph (A) of section 223(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to additional contributions for individuals 55 or older) is amended by striking age 55 and inserting age 50.

(2)

Contribution limitation

The table contained in section 223(b)(3) of such Code is amended—

(A)

by striking $900 and inserting $2,000, and

(B)

by striking $1,000 and inserting $2,000.

(3)

Conforming amendment

Paragraph (3) of section 223(b) of such Code is amended in the heading by striking 55 and inserting 50.

(b)

Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.

5.

Eligibility to contribute to HSA

(a)

Individuals eligible for reimbursement under spouse’s flexible spending arrangement

Section 223(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (defining eligible individual) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(C)

Special rule for certain flexible spending arrangements

For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), an individual shall not be treated as covered under a health plan described in such subparagraph merely because the individual is covered under a flexible spending arrangement (within the meaning of section 106(c)(2)) which is maintained by an employer of the spouse of the individual, but only if—

(i)

the employer is not also the employer of the individual, and

(ii)

the individual certifies to the employer and to the Secretary (in such form and manner as the Secretary may prescribe) that the individual and the individual’s spouse will not accept reimbursement under the arrangement for any expenses for medical care provided to the individual.

.

(b)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.

6.

Permitting Medicare supplemental policy as qualified medical expense

(a)

In general

Clause (iv) of section 223(d)(2)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to qualified medical expenses) is amended by striking other than a medicare supplemental policy and all that follows through Social Security Act).

(b)

Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.

7.

Deduction of premiums for high deductible health plans

(a)

In general

Part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to additional itemized deductions for individuals) is amended by redesignating section 224 as section 225 and by inserting after section 223 the following new section:

224.

Premiums for high deductible health plans

(a)

Deduction allowed

In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a deduction for the taxable year the aggregate amount paid by the taxpayer as premiums under a high deductible health plan with respect to months during such year for which such individual is an eligible individual with respect to such health plan.

(b)

Definitions

For purposes of this section—

(1)

Eligible individual

The term eligible individual means an individual who—

(A)

is described in section 223(c)(1), and

(B)

is the taxpayer or the taxpayer's spouse and dependents.

(2)

High deductible health plan

The term high deductible health plan has the meaning given such term by section 223(c)(2).

(c)

Special Rules

(1)

Deduction limits

(A)

Deduction allowable for only 1 plan

For purposes of this section, in the case of an individual covered by more than 1 high deductible health plan for any month, the individual may only take into account amounts paid for such month for the plan with the lowest premium .

(B)

Plans covering ineligible individuals

If 2 or more individuals are covered by a high deductible health plan for any month but only 1 of such individuals is an eligible individual for such month, only 50 percent of the aggregate amount paid by such eligible individual as premiums under the plan with respect to such month shall be taken into account for purposes of this section.

(2)

Group health plan coverage

(A)

In general

No deduction shall be allowed for an individual under subsection (a) for any amount paid for coverage under a high deductible health plan for a month if that individual participates in any coverage under a group health plan (within the meaning of section 5000 without regard to section 5000(d)). For purposes of the preceding sentence, an arrangement which constitutes individual health insurance shall not be treated as a group health plan if such arrangement is a high deductible health plan (as defined in section 223(c)(2)), or is a payment by an employer or employee organization with respect to such high deductible health plan , notwithstanding that an employer or employee organization negotiates the cost or benefits of such arrangement.

(B)

Exception for plans only providing contributions to health savings accounts

Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to an individual if the individual's only coverage under a group health plan for a month consists of contributions by an employer to a health savings account with respect to which the individual is the account beneficiary.

(C)

Exception for certain permitted coverage

Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to an individual if the individual's only coverage under a group health plan for a month is coverage described in clause (i) or (ii) of section 223(c)(1)(B).

(3)

Medical and health savings accounts

Subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to any amount which is paid or distributed out of an Archer MSA or a health savings account which is not included in gross income under section 220(f) or 223(f), as the case may be.

(4)

Coordination with deduction for health insurance of self-employed individuals

Any amount taken into account by the taxpayer in computing the deduction under section 162(l) shall not be taken into account under this section.

(5)

Coordination with medical expense deduction

Any amount taken into account by the taxpayer in computing the deduction under this section shall not be taken into account under section 213.

.

(b)

Deduction allowed whether or not individual itemizes other deductions

Subsection (a) of section 62 of such Code is amended by inserting before the last sentence at the end the following new paragraph:

(22)

Premiums for high deductible health plans

The deduction allowed by section 224.

.

(c)

Coordination with section 35 health insurance costs credit

Section 35(g)(2) of such Code (relating to coordination with other deductions) is amended by striking or 213 and inserting , 213, or 224.

(d)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by redesignating the item relating to section 224 as an item relating to section 225 and by inserting before such item the following new item:

Sec. 224. Premiums for high deductible health plans.

.

(e)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.

8.

Modifying safe harbor rules for deductibles for high deductible health plans

(a)

In general

(1)

Deductible for prescribed drugs

Subparagraph (C) of section 223(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (defining high deductible health plan) is amended by striking a deductible for preventative care and all that follows and inserting the following:

a deductible for—

(i)

preventive care (within the meaning of section 1861 of the Social Security Act, except as otherwise provided by the Secretary), or

(ii)

a prescribed drug (as defined in section 213).

.

(2)

Individual deductible limit for family plans

Section 223(c)(2) of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(E)

Special rule for family coverage

A health plan providing family coverage shall not fail to meet the requirements of subparagraph (A)(i)(II) merely because the plan elects to provide both—

(i)

an aggregate annual deductible limit for all individuals covered by the plan which is not less than the amount in effect under subparagraph (A)(i)(II), and

(ii)

an annual deductible limit for each individual covered by the plan which is not less than the amount in effect under subparagraph (A)(i)(I).

.

(3)

Conforming amendment

Subparagraph (C) of section 223(c)(2) of such Code is amended in the heading by inserting or prescribed drug after preventive care.

(b)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.

9.

MSA plan deductible exception for preventive care

(a)

In general

Paragraph (3) of section 1859(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1359w–28(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(C)

Exception for absence of preventive care deductible

A plan shall not fail to be treated as a MSA plan by reason of failing to have a deductible for preventive care (within the meaning of such term as applied for purposes of section 223(c)(2)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).

.

(b)

Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall take effect on January 1, 2008.

10.

Permitting individual contributions to Medicare Advantage MSA

(a)

In general

Paragraph (2) of section 138(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (defining Medicare Advantage MSA) is amended by striking or at the end of subparagraph (A), by inserting or at the end of subparagraph (B), and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(C)

any contributions by or for the benefit of the account holder (other than a contribution described in subparagraph (A)) for the taxable year, the sum of which do not exceed the difference of—

(i)

the amount of the annual deductible (described in section 1859(b)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act) for the MSA plan in which the individual is enrolled, over

(ii)

the amount of contributions described in subparagraph (A) for the taxable year,

.

(b)

Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.

11.

Allowing MSA and HSA rollover to adult child of account holder

(a)

MSAs

(1)

Subparagraph (A) of section 220(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to treatment after death of account holder) is amended—

(A)

by inserting or adult child after surviving spouse,

(B)

by inserting or adult child, as the case may be, after the spouse, and

(C)

by inserting or adult child after spouse in the heading thereof.

(2)

Paragraph (8) of section 220(f) of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(C)

Adult child

For purposes of this paragraph, the term adult child means an individual—

(i)

who is a child of the deceased individual, and

(ii)

with respect to whom a deduction under section 151 would not be allowable to another taxpayer for a taxable year beginning in the calendar year in which such individual’s taxable year begins.

.

(b)

HSAs

(1)

Subparagraph (A) of section 223(f)(8) of such Code (relating to treatment after death of account beneficiary) is amended—

(A)

by inserting or adult child after surviving spouse,

(B)

by inserting or adult child, as the case may be, after the spouse, and

(C)

by inserting or adult child after spouse in the heading thereof.

(2)

Paragraph (8) of section 223(f) of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(C)

Adult child

For purposes of this paragraph, the term adult child has the meaning given to such term by section 220(f)(8)(C).

.

(c)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.

12.

Permitting Medicare Advantage MSA funds to be used for wellness and fitness programs

(a)

In general

Paragraph (1) of section 138(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to special rules for distributions) is amended by striking and at the end of subparagraph (A), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting , and, and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(C)

qualified medical expenses shall include amounts paid to a gym for enrollment in a wellness or fitness program.

.

(b)

Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.