Pulaski Times

On April 8, 2025, Representative French Hill (R-AR) announced that the HSA Spouse Catch-Up Act, co-led by Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL), passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Rep. Hill commented on the 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.”

Hill emphasized the need to provide Americans with the flexibility to plan and save for healthcare needs. The goal of the bill is to enable families to support each other financially and take control of their healthcare decisions.

Rep. Steube added, "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."

Steube highlighted that the joint bill with Hill aims to build upon the success of HSAs by allowing spouses to make catch-up contributions to each other’s accounts, thereby enhancing financial security and healthcare outcomes.

Currently, HSAs permit individuals to cover their own or their family’s medical expenses. However, married couples cannot make additional catch-up contributions to each other's HSA. This legislation intends to resolve this discrepancy by permitting such contributions, addressing inconsistencies in the existing rules.

HSAs serve as individual savings accounts for healthcare-related expenses. Contributions can be made by various parties, including the account owner, employers, family members, and friends. However, only those aged 55 and older are allowed to make additional catch-up contributions, a provision the HSA Spouse Catch-Up Act aims to extend to include contributions to a spouse’s HSA.

Catch-up contributions aim to enable older individuals to save additional funds for future healthcare expenses. This legislative effort seeks to further secure financial options for families, providing them enhanced flexibility in managing healthcare costs.

The details of the bill can be accessed in the provided text.