(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) today released the following statement after joining 17 other members of the Health Choices Coalition – a group comprised of healthcare providers, patients, consumers, retailers, manufacturers, pharmacies, insurers, and businesses of all sizes – in sending a letter of support to sponsors of the Oral Health Products Inclusion Act (H.R. 8599). This legislation would increase access to everyday over-the-counter (OTC) oral care products by allowing them to be purchased with Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) funds as “qualified medical expenses.”
“Lapses in oral hygiene can contribute to some of the most common chronic health conditions among American adults, with problems worsening for individuals in areas with limited access to care,” said CHPA President & CEO Scott Melville. “Preventative self-care is critical to reducing long-term healthcare costs, and solutions like the Oral Health Products Inclusion Act will directly expand accessibility to preventative care options by allowing Americans to purchase everyday oral care essentials using FSA-HSA funds. CHPA is proud to join members of the Health Choices Coalition on International Self-Care Day to commend U.S. Representatives Van Drew, Schneider, Malliotakis, and Panetta for their leadership on an effort that will enhance the ability for families at every income level to better manage their everyday health needs.”
In addition to CHPA, this legislation has a broad base of support from the following members of the Health Choices Coalition that collectively recognize the important role preventative self-care plays in the reduction of long-term healthcare costs:
- Academy of General Dentistry
- American Association of Endodontists
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- American Dental Association
- Association of State & Territorial Dental Directors
- Colgate-Palmolive Company
- FMI – The Food Industry Association
- Haleon
- Health-E Commerce
- Healthy Americas Foundation
- Kenvue
- Lornamead Inc.
- National Alliance for Hispanic Health
- National Dental Association
- Procter & Gamble
- Sanofi Consumer Healthcare
- Sjögren's Foundation
Background
The Oral Health Products Inclusion Act (H.R. 8599) was introduced by U.S. Reps. Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) on June 3. This bipartisan legislation builds upon a 2020 legislative victory which reinstated the ability for consumers to use their FSA-HSA accounts to purchase OTC products, and for the first time, feminine care products, through the passage of the CARES Act. If enacted, H.R. 8599 would also make certain oral care items, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, and similar oral care products “qualified medical expenses” that can be purchased with FSA-HSA funds.
In recognition of International Self-Care Day, 18 members of the Health Choices Coalition sent a letter to the sponsors of H.R. 8599, thanking them for introducing the legislation and commending their efforts to give millions of Americans increased flexibility in how they manage their oral health, while also helping to reduce the strain on the U.S. healthcare system overall.
