HSA firms boost lobbying to cash in on Trump’s Great Healthcare Plan

WASHINGTON — Companies that manage health savings accounts (HSAs) are identifying new opportunities for growth and are increasing their lobbying efforts to capitalize on this potential.

This year, a collection of businesses and groups associated with the HSA industry established a nonprofit organization known as the Great American Health Alliance (GAHA), which plays on the slogan Make America Healthy Again (MAHA). As a 501(c)(4) entity, GAHA is permitted to engage in unlimited lobbying activities, support political candidates, and keep its financial sources undisclosed.

GAHA’s membership includes HealthEquity, a major administrator of HSAs, and the American Bankers Association, which represents institutions that hold approximately 90% of HSAs. The organization is led by the Nahigian brothers: Keith Nahigian, who serves as the president and has experience with several GOP presidential campaigns, and Ken Nahigian, who oversaw the Trump transition in 2017 and was involved as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s liaison to senators during his confirmation as health secretary.