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Bipartisan Legislation Would Allow Seniors To Use Pre-Tax Health Savings For Homecare Services

March 30, 2023 - Reps. Katie Porter (D-CA) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) have reintroduced a bipartisan bill to remove a major obstacle to care for seniors who wish to age at home. The Homecare for Seniors Act would allow older Americans to use their own money in Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to pay for homecare services. 

“Congress should empower seniors to live with dignity, whether they choose to age at home or join a dedicated community,” said Rep. Porter. “Our bipartisan legislation gives Americans who need homecare more flexibility to use their own savings to get the care they need, so seniors can age in place, connected with their existing support networks.”

“Seniors and their family caregivers should have the power to utilize their health savings accounts in a manner that meets their care needs,” said Rep. Smith. “This legislation would simply allow seniors to use their HSA funds for homecare services. Representative Porter has been a strong leader on this issue, and I thank her for partnering with me on this legislation.”

Original cosponsors of the Homecare for Seniors Act include Reps. Mike Flood (R-NE), Paul Tonko (D-CA), Don Bacon (R-NE), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Dan Meuser (R-PA), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Troy Balderson (R-OH).

Congresswoman Porter has a strong record of delivering results for older Americans. Two of her bills to help seniors afford the care they need were signed into law: one to lower the cost of prescription drugs and the other to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses. To hear firsthand about the challenges seniors face, Rep. Porter held a roundtable focused on older Americans’ difficulties with affordable housing. She also hosted a telephone town hall to equip seniors with information to protect themselves from fraud and scams. 

Source: Congresswoman Katie Porter