Yes, We Need Some Sanity–For the IRS!
The 14-year-old has homecoming (and a date) this weekend, otherwise we would be at the Jon Stewart Rally to Restore Sanity. If I were in Washington, however, I’d also have to wander over the IRS to try and restore a little sanity to the idio. . . um, hardworking government employees who work there. Seems the IRS recently issued its annual rules about what the money in medical savings accounts (those accounts created with pre-tax dollars) can be used for.
As The New York Times reported earlier this week, the IRS says you can spend those pre-tax dollars on items like dentures, pimple cream, and even replacing real grass with turf if your kid has severe allergies; but not breast pumps. Why? To quote the Times’ article: “breast-feeding does not have enough health benefits to qualify as a form of medical care.” Instead, the IRS views it as being a form of nutrition only.
When I read those words my first impulse was to hop in my car, drive to DC, find the IRS building, whip off my shirt and bra, hook up a breast pump to my boobs, and march on the IRS office, preferably with about 5,000 other … Continue Reading