Hating the Herald

Glaring Ignorance

On June 29, the Omaha World Herald Editorial Board had its say about Congressman Bacon and the future (https://omaha.com/opinion/editorial/article_67c41a98-d89b-4f88-8f80-d80de513fd45.html). The title calls for “a common sense pragmatist” but at 37 trillion dollars, how does that work?

The World Herald has been an abundance of poor information in large part because they rely on outdated news services such as the Associated Press. Anyone could see it. 20 years ago, the idea of having a physical paper define your world, died. This changed where people got their information. Sources from Glenn Beck, Ben Shapiro to Tim Pool accelerated, but the Herald never keeps tabs on them or what elected officials were putting on social media or what is said on radio. I miss the days when journalists ignored the politics and focused on the history of the moment, and how it connected to the past. A journalist had to be cosmopolitian and take in the viewpoints while explaining actual processes.

The Editorial senses the change, but does not understand the change. Look to the impact the United States has had on the world in the last 100 years. America bled and fought for a better world and won. But in the 21st century, Americans are asking: what about us? Who are we? This is a change in generations and in culture.

The Editorial Board is stuck on so many disconnected political talking points, like someone parroting what they just heard on television. There is no depth in their thinking. When their grandchildren attend college and take an American History course, they will be given an exam. The exam will consist of a pen and 3 blank pages with but a singular question: Why Donald Trump?

To the Editorial Board, COVID had no impact, and Joe Biden became President because he was “sharp as a tack”. The rest of the world was watching “Weekend at Bernie's” taking place in the real world, and felt a scam was going on and were very angry. To the Editorial Board, Trump is a terrible error and they are confused as to how he came to be. Also, the Board ignored how the immigration issue changed within the political parties from Obama to Trump to Biden. This impacted how Don Bacon became a Congressman and explains how he tried to parse on topics. Sigh, how soon people forget. Oh, and those masks never worked!

The Editorial Board takes a swipe at those “significant cuts to Medicaid” in the Big Beautiful Bill :: Remember the saying: “let me Google that for you”? That is so outdated, like the World Herald. Try "let me Perplexity that for you". From : https://www.perplexity.ai/search/cant-see-the-forest-because-of-kqYFglWvQEe0gMRiqnNjOw#2 (Note, the table does not display here so you may want to view the link instead)

Does the Big Beautiful Bill Expand Health Savings Accounts?

Yes, the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) significantly expands Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) in several ways.

Key HSA Expansion Provisions

• Increased Contribution Limits:
  Individuals earning less than $75,000 (or $150,000 for families) would be allowed to contribute double the normal annual HSA limit—$8,600 for self-only and $17,100 for family coverage in 2025. There is a phase-out for incomes up to $100,00016.

• Expanded Eligibility:
  The bill would provide HSA access to an estimated 20 million more Americans, including seniors on Medicare and individuals enrolled in certain individual market plans234. Notably, enrollment in Medicare Part A would no longer disqualify someone from contributing to an HSA4.

• Broader Qualified Expenses:
  HSA funds could be used for additional expenses, including:

  • Fitness memberships (up to $500 annually for facility memberships such as gyms)123.

  • Direct Primary Care (DPC) memberships3.

  • On-site work clinics23.

• Other Reforms:
  The bill aims to improve HSA usability by addressing issues such as marriage penalties and red tape, and by relaxing certain contribution rules for married couples23.

• Marketplace Plan Eligibility:
  All bronze and catastrophic plans offered through Affordable Care Act exchanges would be considered HSA-eligible, regardless of deductible levels3.

Legislative Status

• The House of Representatives passed the OBBB with these HSA expansion measures included123.

• The Senate version initially did not include all of these provisions, but industry groups are pushing for their inclusion as the bill moves forward1.

Summary Table

ProvisionCurrent LawOBBB Proposed ChangeAnnual Contribution Limit$4,300 (self) / $8,550 (family)$8,600 (self) / $17,100 (family) for lower incomes16Medicare Enrollees EligibleNoYes (Part A enrollees can contribute)24Fitness Memberships as Qualified ExpenseNoYes, up to $500/year123ACA Bronze/Catastrophic Plan EligibilityNoYes3Direct Primary Care as Qualified ExpenseNoYes3

In summary:
The One Big Beautiful Bill, as passed by the House, would substantially expand both the eligibility for and the benefits of Health Savings Accounts, making them more accessible and useful to a broader range of Americans, including Medicare recipients and those with lower incomes12346.

1. https://www.napa-net.org/news/2025/6/industry-groups-push-for-hsa-expansion-in-one-big-beautiful-bill/

2. https://waysandmeans.house.gov/2025/06/16/the-one-big-beautiful-bill-empowers-american-patients-with-more-affordable-health-care-choices/

3. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-hidden-costs-of-expanding-hsas-in-one-big-beautiful-bill/

4. https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/medicare/proposed-changes-to-hsas-in-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-add-up-for-retirement-savers

5. https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text

6. https://www.kff.org/tracking-the-health-savings-accounts-provisions-in-the-2025-budget-bill/

7. https://www.crfb.org/blogs/breaking-down-one-big-beautiful-bill

8. https://waysandmeans.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-One-Big-Beautiful-Bill-Section-by-Section.pdf