Union Joins Fight To Save FSAs (Flexible Spending Account and link to info)

[Omaha Steve]

Marta and I have used up our $2,400 for this year. We are raising it again for next year.

This link has info and action on saving flex plans: http://www.savemyflexplan.org/


http://www.savemyflexplan.org/media_news/09-10-27_nationalunderwriter.html

10/27/09 - National Underwriter - View Source

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union is teaming with benefits vendors to keep health reform efforts from hurting the flexible spending account program.

The Employers Council on Flexible Compensation, Washington, which represents both service providers and employers, has set up a Save Flexible Spending Plans advocacy campaign.

The UFCW, Washington, is one of the campaign partners, organizers say.

The campaign is running ads explaining FSA supporters’ concerns in publications such as the The Hill, Politico and Roll Call.

One of the campaign’s targets is a provision, included in some of the health bill proposals circulating in Congress, that could cap the annual deduction for FSA contributions at $2,500, without indexing the $2,500 limit for inflation.

The cap could quickly erode the value of having an FSA account, FSA program supporters say.

[iamjoy]

1. FSAs Are Not Just For Rich People

the great thing about a Health Care FSA is that the funds (up to the full annual goal amount) are available right away, even if they haven't been contributed. If the employer offers an FSA debit card, it makes it even easier for participants to use - swipe the card at the provider and it's just like a credit card.

If they're worried about higher income people receiving disproportionate benefit from it, they can impose additional "non discrimination" restrictions.