Why We Still Need the PHIT Act
Our CEO Bill Davis shares about how we are standing with the Health and Fitness Association to support more affordable access to fitness through the PHIT Act.
Recently, the Senate removed a key provision from the latest budget reconciliation package – the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act, which would have allowed Americans to use their Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to cover fitness-related expenses like gym memberships, fitness classes, and youth sports up to $500 for an individual or $1,000 per household, annually.
For those unfamiliar, the PHIT Act is a long-advocated piece of bipartisan policy proposal that directly supports:
- Middle-class tax relief
- Chronic disease prevention
- Expanded access to physical activity for youth and families
The removal of the PHIT Act is a significant setback for the industry’s ongoing advocacy efforts around preventive health and fitness affordability. However, the final version of the bill is still being negotiated, and there remains a narrow window to influence lawmakers and reinstate the provision.
At ABC Fitness, our mission is to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to be their best self, and we believe fitness and physical activity are foundational to that vision.
The PHIT Act would make fitness more accessible and affordable for millions of Americans, many of whom are supported by ABC Fitness, by making preventative health and fitness more affordable and accessible for everyone. We are not discouraged, and the Health & Fitness Association (HFA) believes there is still time to influence the final bill.
As a board member of the HFA, I encourage every fitness business leader, professional, and supporter to learn more about the work HFA is doing and how it supports the fitness industry. If you want to act specific to the PHIT Act, you can show your support by submitting a pre-written note through HFA’s website here.
Let’s help make a healthier, fitter planet together!