For more stories like this, sign up for the PLANSPONSOR NEWSDash daily newsletter.
Compliance April 1, 2011
House to Consider Bill Limiting FSA, HSA Abortion Reimbursements
April 1, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – A House committee has approved a bill under which employees no longer could receive tax-free reimbursement from their flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts for out-of-pocket expenses related to most abortions.
Reported by Rebecca Moore
Business Insurance reports that H.R. 1232, sponsored by Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-Michigan), which the committee cleared on a 22-14 vote, provides that FSA or HSA reimbursement for abortion-related expenses would be added to the employee’s taxable income. Under current law, such reimbursements are tax-free.
According to Business Insurance, the restriction would not apply to an abortion performed in the case of a pregnancy that resulted from rape or incest. It also would not apply if a woman suffers from a physical disorder, injury or illness that would, as certified by a physician, “place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself.”
The measure now goes to the full House of Representatives for consideration.