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Paulsen Calls for Restoring FSA Access for All Medicine Purchases
01/31/12For Immediate Release: January 31, 2012
Paulsen Calls for Restoring FSA Access for All Medicine Purchases
New Study Indicates Over-the-Counter Medicines Save Healthcare System Billions
Washington, D.C. — Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03) issued the following statement highlighting a new study commissioned by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, which found that for every dollar spent on over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, the U.S. healthcare system saves between six and seven dollars. Congressman Paulsen is the sponsor of the Patients’ Freedom to Choose Act (H.R. 605), a bipartisan proposal that restores the ability for consumers to use their Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to purchase OTC medicines without first getting a prescription. The healthcare law passed in 2010 placed restrictions on FSAs, which forbade their use to purchase OTC drugs without a doctor’s prescription.
“This study shows how important over-the-counter medicines are for millions of American families,” said Rep. Paulsen. “Clearly, the President’s healthcare law is taking us in the wrong direction by forbidding families to use their FSAs to purchase affordable over-the-counter drugs such as Claritin and Tylenol. My bipartisan legislation will ensure American families regain control over their own healthcare needs and expenses.”
An estimated 19 million American families purchase OTC medications using their flexible spending accounts and rely on these accessible and affordable medicines to keep their families healthy. You can read entire report online here.
Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation currently serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus, as well as the U.S.–Korea Free Trade Working Group.
For more information on Rep. Paulsen’s work in Congress, and for past segments of Erik's Correspondence Corner, please visit www.paulsen.house.gov.
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