West Florida News

U.S. Representatives Greg Steube and French Hill have introduced a new bill, the Catch-Up Act, aimed at expanding eligibility for individuals to make catch-up contributions to the Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) of their spouses.

Currently, HSAs can only be contributed to by the individual, their spouse, and their immediate family. Individuals can make catch-up contributions to their own HSA, but married individuals under 55 are currently unable to do the same for their spouse's HSA. This limitation affects millions of Americans who are unable to fully leverage the benefits of investing in an HSA.

The Catch-Up Act proposes to relax this restriction, enabling families to allocate more savings to HSAs through catch-up contributions. By permitting all married individuals to contribute to their spouse’s HSA, the act seeks to enhance financial security and give families more flexibility to handle medical expenses.

"Health Savings Accounts have expanded access for millions of Americans to the quality healthcare their families deserve. However, existing laws have hamstrung the ability of families to respond to healthcare emergencies with pointless regulations blocking individuals from utilizing their HSA to cover a loved one’s medical expenses. It only makes sense for us to build upon the success of HSAs with a focus on family economics and freedom,” said Rep. Steube. “My bill with Congressman Hill will allow Americans to make catch-up contributions to their spouse’s HSA, ensuring financial security and better healthcare outcomes by expanding freedom.”

Rep. Hill also emphasized the practicality of the proposed legislation, stating, “Health savings accounts are a smart way for families to plan for medical expenses, but the current rules do not reflect how real families make decisions and manage daily life. Right now, spouses can use their HSA to pay for each other’s medical care, but they cannot make catch-up contributions to each other’s accounts. It is a ridiculous rule that needs to be changed. We need to give Americans the flexibility to plan, save, and make health care decisions that work for their families. That is why I am glad to partner with Representative Steube on this commonsense fix that will make it easier for families to support each other and take control of both their health and their finances.”

The text of the bill is available for reading online.