The coronavirus stimulus package is set to provide assistance to many Americans during this time of the pandemic, including assistance to those who have menstrual cycles.
According to CNN, the bill will allow people with specific pretax funds for eligible health care-related expenses such as, a health savings account, Archer medical saving account, health care flexible spending accounts, or health reimbursement arrangements, to use the money on menstrual products.
Tampons, pads, liners, cups, sponges and other menstrual products will be added to the list of products covered by specific pretax funds.
Menstrual products are not currently among the items that can be purchased with these accounts.
CNN reports that the federal government defines current qualifying expenses as "the costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease."
According to CNN, this is not the first time that covering menstrual products has been discussed on Capitol Hill.
In July 2018, the House passed a bill that would have qualified menstrual products to be covered for pretax health plans.
Democratic Rep. Grace Meng, who sponsored the bill in 2018, says that "menstrual hygiene products are essential and necessary for women, and deserve to be items that are permitted to be purchased with health flexible spending account funds. There is no reason why menstrual products should not be included," CNN reports.
