FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 2^nd, 2011

Paulsen’s Patients Freedom to Choose Act Gains 100Co-Sponsors

Legislation Allows Families to Use HSA Dollars to Purchase Over-The-Counter Drugs

Washington, D.C. – Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-3) received his 100^th co-sponser on H.R. 605, the Patients Freedom to Choose Act, today. This common sense legislation would repeal two provisions included in last year’s healthcare law that limit a patient’s choice of how to use their consumer-directed health plans. The first provision this bill seeks to repeal is a ban on the use of tax free Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) funds to purchase over-the-counter medication without a prescription, and the second is a federally mandated cap of $2,500 on FSA contributions.

“As it stands now, the new healthcare law requires patients obtain a prescription from their doctors for such over-the-counter medications as Tylenol and Claritin Claritin - increasing burdensome paper work for doctors and raising the cost of care for hard working families. The Patients Freedom to Choose Act would restore patient’s ability to use FSA and HSA funds for such OTC purchases – limiting the costs associated with visiting a healthcare professional,” said Congressman Paulsen. “I am honored that so many of my colleagues stand with me in support of this common sense legislation.”

The National Federation of Independent Business, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Retail Federation, and the Employers Council on Flexible Compensation have endorsed this legislation.

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 Korea-U.S. Free Trade Working Group and co-chair of the House Medical Technology Caucus.

For more information on Rep. Paulsen’s work in Congress, please visit www.paulsen.house.gov.