PHIT Legislation Reintroduced in Congress
PHIT Act allows Americans to use pre-tax dollars to purchase gym memberships and more.
In a move that can benefit fitness professionals, a bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives reintroduced the PHIT (Personal Health Investment Today) Act in Congress. The legislation allows Americans to use some funds in pre-tax health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts toward qualified sports and fitness purchases, such as gym memberships, fitness equipment and youth sports league fees.
“Too many working families are forced to cut back on healthy activities and lifestyles due to the rising costs of sports leagues, gym memberships, local swimming pools and more,” says U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.). “The PHIT Act provides a practical solution by allowing families to use pre-tax dollars from their HSA and FSA accounts to help pay for fitness expenses. By breaking down financial barriers, we can encourage healthier habits, strengthen our communities and invest in preventive care that lasts a lifetime.”
To learn more about the legislation, go to HERE.
To contact your representatives to express support, go to HERE.
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA, is an internationally acknowledged integrative health and mindfulness specialist, best-selling author of 16 fitness and wellness books translated into multiple languages and sold worldwide, award-winning health journalist, contributing editor to Fitness Journal, media spokesperson, and IDEA's 2008 Fitness Instructor of the Year. She's a 25-year industry veteran and former health and fitness educator at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, who has served on multiple industry committees and co-authored trade books and manuals for ACE, ACSM and YMCA of the USA. She has appeared on TV worldwide and was a featured trainer on America's Next Top Model.
