House bill introduced to allow supplement purchases via HSAs, FSAs

SEPTEMBER 16, 2021

House bill introduced to allow supplement purchases via HSAs, FSAs

Representatives John Curtis (R-UT) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) this week introduced bipartisan legislation to authorize dietary supplement purchases using pre-tax dollars.

Sound familiar? Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) introduced similar legislation, S. 1654, in May.

Why it matters: H.R. 5214 recognizes dietary supplements as qualified medical expenses, allows supplement purchases via Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and provides economic incentives for consumers to practice preventive healthcare.

CRN’s take: “We believe in incentivizing healthy behaviors and empowering consumer choice,” said CRN President & CEO Steve Mister. He noted, “Dietary supplements are cost-effective measures to manage and improve health and wellness that can save taxpayers hundreds of millions—and in some cases billions—of dollars in healthcare costs.”

Advancing efforts to include dietary supplements in FSAs and HSAs is one of CRN’s top priorities for 2021.


Epidemiologist to explore sex differences in clinical trials during Science in Session

The rise of personalized and precision nutrition highlights the importance of understanding how sex influences health and disease, particularly in regards to improving women’s health. Howard D. Sesso, ScD, MPH, will discuss sex differences in clinical trials and precision nutrition during CRN's annual Science in Session, taking place Oct. 19 as part of CRN’s signature annual events.

About Dr. Sesso: As an epidemiologist and professor, Dr. Sesso leads the design, methodology, and conduct of randomized clinical trials and epidemiologic studies, focusing on vitamin and mineral supplements plus other lifestyle factors in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, obesity, cancer, and other aging-related outcomes. His work focuses on the relation of physical activity, obesity, and dietary factors such as antioxidant vitamins, lycopene, strawberries, and flavonoids to CVD and hypertension. 

Learn more about Science in Session and Now, New, Next and register today.