re: #489 Obdicut

Actually, the discussion of the OTC drug changes for FSAs is something I’m quite familiar with and have written extensively on it since I use a FSA to cover OTC costs. Those changes are verifiable and do lead to higher costs to consumers.

The changes to FSAs requiring doctor notes for OTC drugs was something designed to balance the overall HCR package revenues because the FSAs reduce the AGI (and hence tax that is owed). By making it more difficult to use FSAs for OTCs, you reduce the number of people taking advantage of the FSAs and therefore increase taxable income that is subject to tax.

Moreover, the new FSA requirements increase the paperwork requirements on consumers and doctors - forcing the doctors to write notes for items that are OTC. It’s a stupid requirement, but one that was written in to balance the HCR package.