Health Savings Accounts

http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/30/opinion/health-savings-accounts.html

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To the Editor:

Re “The Republican Health Care Con” (editorial, Jan. 22):

Consumers and patients need more control over their health care. Nearly 20 million Americans have health savings accounts because they deliver affordable coverage and consumer control. That’s why Republican lawmakers are right to promote their expansion.

Your editorial suggested that these accounts primarily benefit the wealthy because poor and middle-class Americans cannot save enough. But the accounts deliver results for everyone. A majority of those with H.S.A.s work for companies that contribute to their accounts, so they can save more money tax-free for future health care needs.

Many health savings accounts roll over year over year, so balances accumulate and grow. And while the tax deduction for a yearly H.S.A. contribution — up to $6,750 — may not mean much for wealthy families, it means a lot to the millions of hardworking families with much tighter budgets.

DAVID MERRITT

Washington

The writer is executive vice president for public affairs and strategic initiatives at America’s Health Insurance Plans, whose member companies have a financial interest in health savings accounts.