Austin News

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Chip Roy, both Republicans from Texas, have introduced the Personalized Care Act (PCA), a legislative proposal aimed at expanding health care options for Americans. The bill seeks to make health care more portable and accessible by broadening the use of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). This initiative is intended to help millions of Americans manage their health care expenses with these tax-advantaged savings tools.

Senator Cruz emphasized his commitment to giving patients and doctors more control over health care decisions. "I’m fighting to return control to patients and their doctors—not Washington bureaucrats," he stated. He criticized Democrats for seeking full government control over America's health care system and urged his colleagues to pass the legislation swiftly.

Representative Roy expressed concern about the increasing costs and decreasing accessibility of America's healthcare system, attributing these issues to corporate and government interests that prioritize power over patient care. "The Personalized Care Act would re-empower the American people," he said, advocating for greater freedom in making health care decisions.

The bill has been cosponsored by Senator Roger Marshall from Kansas. In addition to Cruz's efforts in the Senate, Rep. Roy has introduced companion legislation in the House.

The PCA proposes several key changes:

- It offers broader access to HSAs by decoupling them from high-deductible insurance plans.

- It increases HSA contribution limits significantly.

- It expands eligible uses for HSA withdrawals.

- It clarifies definitions around direct medical care and health care sharing ministries.

- It reduces tax penalties for nonqualified distributions.

This legislation has received endorsements from several organizations, including Direct Primary Care Council, Texas Public Policy Foundation, Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom, Heritage Action, Americans for Prosperity, Association of Mature American Citizens, Independent Medical Alliance, Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries, and Health Savings Account Council.