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FMI Backs FSA Bill Expanding OTC Coverage

ARLINGTON, Va. — Food Marketing Institute on Thursday said it has endorsed the Restoring Access to Medication Act (S. 1368/H.R. 2529), a bipartisan bill that would allow consumers to use their flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) to buy OTC medications without a prescription.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Food Marketing Institute on Thursday said it has endorsed the Restoring Access to Medication Act (S. 1368/H.R. 2529), a bipartisan bill that would allow consumers to use their flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) to buy OTC medications without a prescription.

Current provisions of health care reform restrict the use of FSA spending to physician prescribed medicines, forcing consumers to get prescriptions for OTC in order to use their FSAs.

"We are strongly supportive of this legislation which would remove recent restrictions on FSA purchases that have burdened consumers with illogical complications and undue medical expenses to gain access to preventative medicines and medicines that provide relief from minor ailments," said Jennifer Hatcher, senior vice president of government and public affairs at FMI.

The bill was initially introduced by Sens. Pat Roberts, R-Kan. and Ben Nelson, D-Neb., and Reps. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan., and Shelley Berkley, D-Nev.