PHIT Coalition Lands on Capitol Hill to Support Bill

On Wednesday the PHIT Coalition is landing on Capitol Hill to meet with members of congress as they rally support for the PHIT (Personal Health Investment Today) Act.

The PHIT Coalition — comprised of interest groups spanning the medical field, health and fitness clubs, youth sports organizations and even professional sports leagues — is scheduled to have more than 50 meetings with house members as they seek to attract co-sponsors to the legislation.

The PHIT Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives during the last Congress, would allow Americans to utilize monies in pre-tax medical accounts such as HSAs and FSAs on expenses related to physical activity. If passed into law, Americans could use their pre-tax medical accounts to help cover the costs of everything from gym memberships and equipment fees to youth sports leagues and training camps.

The goal of the legislation would be to encourage Americans to increase their physical activity levels, and in turn drive down healthcare costs.

“Overall, passing PHIT will allow more people to get moving and participate in physical activity, leading to a healthier life for many Americans,” the Sports and Fitness Industry Association wrote in a Medium post. SFIA has been involved in advocating for the legislation since its inception, along with IHRSA. 

In turn, by making all kinds of physical activity costs eligible for pre-tax dollars, the legislation would provide a boost to organizations and businesses that provide those activities.

Wednesday’s congressional blitz represents a push by the PHIT Coalition to get the legislation across the finish line in this congressional session.

“We’ve got great momentum so far this year,” Jim Worthington, chair of the IHRSA board of directors, said during a Tuesday press briefing. “We are very, very optimistic that we’re going to get through the House and get to that step this year and get a vote [in the Senate].”