Public policy, consumer access, and education

Driving the future of Health Savings Account (HSA) accessibility

HealthEquity is committed to saving and improving lives by empowering healthcare consumers with more choice and control over their health and financial well-being. We advocate for reforms to allow access to tax-advantaged healthcare savings accounts for all Americans.

Who we are and what drives us

The Public Policy and Government Affairs (PPGA) team is dedicated to improving lives by shaping healthcare policies that deliver value and encourage financial wellness for Americans.

Collaborating with policymakers and stakeholders, the PPGA team actively advises on proposed laws and regulations to help reform public policy, ensuring all Americans — regardless of their health insurance access — can better plan for future medical expenses and manage unexpected costs.

Our focus

Our consumer access efforts target the challenges faced by American workers. Out-of-pocket healthcare costs have risen over time,¹  and more than half of Americans lack sufficient liquidity or access to funds to cover a $1,000 emergency.²  That’s why HealthEquity advocates for optimizing tax-advantaged accounts like HSAs, FSAs, and HRAs. Our focus also includes building on the recent HSA expansions permitting those in ACA Bronze or Catastrophic plans to contribute to an HSA, calling for all Americans to have access to these critical savings tools.

In addition to advancing HSA access for all Americans, the PPGA team is prioritizing expanded HSA eligibility for working seniors, allowing FSA and HRA balances to roll over into HSAs, and broadening the qualified use of HSA funds to include health-promoting expenses such as exercise equipment and gym memberships.

PPGA efforts and other programs

Political Action Committee (PAC)

The PPGA team also manages PurplePAC, a bipartisan advocacy initiative that supports candidates who advance policies aligned with HealthEquity’s mission to empower all Americans to save for healthcare, build savings, and expand access.

Overseen by a board of senior leaders and an independent director from the HealthEquity Board of Directors, the PAC meets regularly to evaluate strategic opportunities.

PurplePAC board members consider various criteria when choosing which candidates to support and how much to contribute. PAC-supported candidates may not always share our views on every issue, but they all support our mission of expanding healthcare savings options for Americans.

Lobbying and political activity

HealthEquity’s lobbying policy ensures all lobbying adheres to applicable laws and registration filings. The policy requires transparency through reports filed under the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA), which outlines activities, expenses, lobbying issues, and contacted entities.

HealthEquity is committed to conducting its public policy and political engagement activities transparently, lawfully, and in alignment with its mission.

Making healthcare more affordable and accessible

Healthcare costs are a significant burden for millions of Americans, with nearly half of U.S. adults saying it’s difficult to afford care and nearly one in four experiencing problems paying for healthcare.³ For some, high costs may lead to delaying or skipping essential treatment altogether.

At HealthEquity, we’re driven by our mission — to save and improve lives by empowering healthcare consumers. By offering a range of tools and resources, we equip individuals to tackle the challenges of rising healthcare expenses head-on.

Our advocacy work is reinforced by practical solutions that help employers and individuals manage healthcare and related expenses today.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

As healthcare costs continue to rise,¹ HSAs can help employees prepare for unexpected costs and build a financial safety net for things like higher deductibles, copays, and prescriptions.

HSAs allow employees set aside pre-tax money to pay qualified medical expenses and offer a triple-tax advantage — contributions are pre-tax, the money grows tax-free*, and funds can be spent tax-free on qualified medical expenses.

Healthcare FSAs and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (DCFSAs)

For those enrolled in non-HSA plans, healthcare FSAs and dependent care FSAs offer valuable tax savings on healthcare and dependent care costs. Our Direct Pay feature simplifies this process, allowing members to securely use their HealthEquity FSA to make eligible purchases with a single click. With billions of dollars in unused FSA funds lost each year,⁴ this tool ensures members can easily use their benefits and avoid unnecessary forfeitures.

HRAs

HRAs provide employers with a tax-efficient way to contribute toward their employees’ healthcare expenses. Whether paired with a traditional group health plan or offered as a standalone benefit, HRAs give employees the freedom to make informed and personalized healthcare choices.

Health Payment Accounts (HPAs)

Designed to ease financial burdens, HPAs provide employees with immediate access to healthcare funds, regardless of income level or insurance status. Through interest-free payment plans, they divide healthcare costs into manageable monthly installments — allowing members to cover expenses like doctor visits, prescriptions, and dental care without added fees or interest.

With 40% of workplace-insured Americans delaying care due to cost, HPAs offer a practical way to access needed treatment. HealthEquity** partners with Paytient to provide HPA access for our clients and members. This allows us to offer employers ways to tailor their plans, making healthcare more affordable and accessible for employees — especially those with financial hardships.

COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act)

When individuals lose their employer-sponsored health insurance due to resignation, layoffs, or retirement, our Coverage Continuation Services step in. Offering Federal COBRA, State Continuation, and Retiree Medical Benefits, these services help people stay protected with uninterrupted health coverage. Our COBRA solutions ensure people can remain insured while transitioning to new opportunities.

Lifestyle Spending Accounts (LSAs)

LSAs are designed to encourage preventative care and promote overall wellbeing by motivating employees to take charge of their health. Whether it’s gym memberships, family planning, financial guidance, or mental health services, LSAs offer personalized benefits that empower employees to address their unique and diverse needs.

Commuter benefits

HealthEquity commuter benefits promote the use of public transportation and carpools, reducing the environmental impact of single-passenger vehicles while supporting healthier communities.

The average commuter in the U.S. spends roughly 19% of their annual income on commuting expenses.⁵ By providing commuter benefits, employers can help mitigate these costs, making the return to office more manageable for employees.

Guidance for smarter healthcare spending

HealthEquity is committed to empowering members with the knowledge and tools needed to take control of their healthcare decisions and costs. Our education initiatives provide ongoing support to help members get the most out of every healthcare dollar — no matter which benefits they rely on.

From navigating open enrollment, to maximizing savings, or preparing for life’s unexpected events, our comprehensive resources ensure members get the personalized support they need, every step of the way.

Our resources cover a wide variety of topics, including:

• Helping members understand the advantages of HSAs — including how to save, spend, and invest the funds for both current and long-term healthcare needs.
• Empowering members to get more value from their healthcare dollars with price transparency, generics, and preventative care options.
• Offering information about investing in HSA funds*** to potentially accelerate growth and build long-term savings for retirement.

¹ KFF, Health Care Costs and Affordability, 2024
² CBS News, MoneyWatch, 2025
³ KFF, Americans’ Challenges with Health Care Costs, 2025
⁴ Money, Workers Lose $3 Billion a Year in FSA Contributions (and Employers Get to Keep It), 2022
⁵ Bankrate, Average cost of commuting in 2023, 2023

*HSAs are never taxed at a federal income tax level when used appropriately for qualified medical expenses. Also, most states recognize HSA funds as tax-deductible with very few exceptions. Please consult a tax advisor regarding your state’s specific rules.

** HealthEquity Payments, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of HealthEquity Inc. with Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (“NMLS”) ID 2564416. Not available in all states.

*** Investments are subject to risk, including the possible loss of the principal invested and are not FDIC or NCUA insured, or guaranteed by HealthEquity, Inc. HealthEquity, Inc. does not provide investment advice.

KFF , Health Care Costs and Affordability | KFF. The updated KFF page states that U.S. health spending reached $4.9 trillion in 2023 and grew 7.5% from 2022 to 2023, with health spending expected to continue growing at a similar pace.

Bankrate , Bankrate’s 2026 Emergency Savings Report | Bankrate.. Bankrate reports that only 47% of Americans have sufficient liquidity or access to funds to cover a $1,000 emergency expense.

Americans’ Challenges with Health Care Costs | KFF, 2026. KFF’s April 2026 update says just under half of U.S. adults report difficulty affording health care costs, and about three in ten say they or a household family member had problems paying for health care in the past 12 months. [kff.org]