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Dietary supplements are part of everyday life for many Americans. A 2024 Ipsos survey commissioned by the Council for Responsible Nutrition found that 75% of Americans use supplements. Among users, 91% considered them essential to maintaining their health, while 69% said a personalized regimen was important when deciding what to take.
Now, a bipartisan proposal in Congress could make some supplement purchases more affordable. The Dietary Supplements Access Act would allow consumers to use funds from their Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs), and other tax-advantaged health accounts to purchase dietary supplements.
The proposal reflects the growing role supplements play in American wellness. But it also raises a larger question: If access expands, will consumer education keep pace?
What Would the Dietary Supplements Access Act Change?
Introduced in the House and Senate on May 20, 2026, the Dietary Supplements Access Act would classify dietary supplements as qualified medical expenses under the Internal Revenue Code.
The House bill, H.R. 8933, is sponsored by Republican Representatives Darin LaHood of Illinois and Claudia Tenney of New York, together with Democratic Representatives Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania. Senators Kevin Cramer and John Curtis introduced the Senate version.
Under the proposal, individuals could use up to $250 annually from an HSA, FSA, Health Reimbursement Arrangement, or Archer Medical Savings Account to purchase supplements. Joint filers could use up to $500. If enacted, the change would apply to purchases beginning in 2027.
Most supplements taken for general wellness are not currently eligible expenses. The Internal Revenue Service generally excludes vitamins, herbal products, and nutritional supplements unless a medical practitioner recommends them to treat a specific condition diagnosed by a physician.
The legislation would remove that condition-specific requirement, giving eligible consumers more flexibility in how they use their healthcare dollars.
How Many Americans Could Benefit?
The proposal could reach millions of people. According to Devenir’s 2025 demographic survey, approximately 41.7 million HSAs covered nearly 62 million Americans at the end of 2025. Devenir’s separate year-end market report found that these accounts held nearly $174 billion in assets. Tens of millions of Americans also participate in employer-sponsored FSAs, although estimates vary depending on whether they count account holders, workers, or covered family members.
However, HSAs are generally available to people enrolled in qualifying high-deductible health plans, while FSAs must be offered by an employer and require workers to contribute a portion of their earnings.
Consumers without these benefits, or enough income to fund them, may receive little direct help from the legislation. Although expanding HSA and FSA coverage for supplements could improve affordability for many account holders, other approaches may be needed to reach people who cannot use these accounts.
A CDC analysis of 2017–2018 data found that supplement use increased with age, making older adults an important audience for policies affecting supplement access. Yet people enrolled in Medicare can no longer contribute to an HSA, although they may continue spending funds accumulated previously, while many retirees may also lose access to employer-sponsored FSAs.
The Dietary Supplements Access Act could therefore offer meaningful savings, but its benefits may not be equally accessible to everyone.
HSA or FSA Eligibility Is Not an Endorsement
Greater purchasing flexibility could be valuable when cost affects consumer choices. The CRN survey found that supplement users spent a median of $50 per month in 2024, approximately $600 a year. Among non-users, 27% cited cost as one reason they did not take supplements.
However, HSA or FSA eligibility could also create confusion since some consumers might interpret it as evidence that a supplement is medically recommended, FDA-approved, or proven effective. Eligibility would establish how a product can be purchased, not whether a particular person needs it.
Supplements vary widely in their ingredients, dosages, formulations, quality, and scientific support. A product that benefits one person may be unnecessary or potentially harmful to another.
That is why consumers should consult a qualified healthcare professional before taking a supplement. A registered dietitian nutritionist can help identify possible interactions, determine an appropriate dosage, and assess whether a product fits an individual’s needs.
This guidance can be especially important for older adults handling chronic conditions or taking multiple medications. Younger consumers may face different pressures, including influencer recommendations and online claims that are not always supported by credible science.
At every age, access to credible information matters as much as access to products.
Supplements Should Complement Healthy Eating
Dietary supplements can support a nutritious eating pattern, but they are not a substitute for the nutrients provided by a balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and other nutrient-dense foods. Whole foods also deliver fiber and combinations of nutrients and naturally occurring compounds that cannot always be replicated in a pill or powder.
Supplements can still play a valuable role in an individual’s nutrition plan by helping address identified nutrient gaps or specific needs during certain life stages.
Meanwhile, a registered dietitian nutritionist can evaluate eating habits, health goals, and potential nutritional gaps. This personalized guidance can help consumers determine whether dietary changes, a supplement, or a combination of both is the best approach. It can also help them interpret scientific evidence, understand labels, and avoid taking multiple products that contain the same ingredients.
Greater Supplement Access Requires Greater Knowledge
The bipartisan support behind the Dietary Supplements Access Act recognizes a reality: Most Americans already use supplements, and many view them as part of a proactive approach to health.
Allowing HSA and FSA funds to cover supplements could reduce costs and give millions of consumers more flexibility. But broader payment eligibility would not make every product appropriate, nor would it help people without access to these accounts.
If the legislation advances, its value will depend on more than affordability. Consumers will also need transparent labels, reliable information, and guidance from qualified health and nutrition professionals.
More ways to pay can create more choices. Education is what helps people make those choices wisely.
