On February 16, 2017, the AAO’s RAISE Act was re-introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by lead sponsors Steve Stivers (R-OH) and Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM). Other original co-sponsors (all of whom were sponsors in the last Congress) include:
- Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
- Cheri Bustos (D-IL)
- Chris Collins (R-NY)
- Barbara Comstock (R-VA)
- Peter DeFazio (D-OR)
- Derek Kilmer (D-WA)
- Steve Pearce (R-NM)
- Chellie Pingree (D-ME)
- Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ)
- Pat Tiberi (R-OH)
There are more than 60 former RAISE sponsors still in the House and the AAO hopes to have them once again sponsor the RAISE Act. The AAO is still looking for lead sponsors in the Senate.
As way of background, “The Responsible Additions and Increases to Sustain Employee (RAISE) Health Benefits Act" (RAISE Act) would provide opportunities for American families to better manage healthcare costs, while also allowing them to save for future medical expenses. If the RAISE Act becomes law, (1) the current $2,600 cap on patient FSAs (flexible spending accounts) would be increased to $5,000, (2) that new $5,000 cap could then be increased by another $500 for each employee dependent beyond two dependents, and (3) the yearly "use-it-or-lose-it" rule would be extinguished, allowing any unused FSA funds to be carried over into perpetuity. Recognizing these benefits, the AAO had its federal lobbyist draft the RAISE Act and is now pleased to see its continuous progress in Congress. The RAISE Act is also supported by several other dental groups, which have stated that it will be part of their 2017 legislative agendas.
