The Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act (H.R.1218 & S.2218) received support from the 100th Member of Congress on July 18, 2016.
The PHIT Act has 100 supporters and is almost evenly split between Democrats (55) and Republicans (45), with new co-sponsors added every month since it was introduced, (except August 2015 when Congress was not in session). The 100 supporters are made up of 87 Congressman and 13 Senators.
“This remarkable level of growth is an indicator of the progress that SFIA, PHIT America and our coalition partners done working with Congress to promote active, healthy lifestyles.” said SFIA Vice President Government Relations and Public Affairs, Bill Sells.
The Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) is leading a coalition that includes medical, sports, fitness and youth organizations in promoting the PHIT Act. This has doubled Congressional support for the bill, which had 50 co-sponsors in the last Congress.
The PHIT Act will allow consumers to use these pre-tax funds to pay their activity expenses. It will make physical activity expenses reimbursable through pre-tax dollars in Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). Americans would also be able to deduct physical activity costs once they meet the 7.5 percent threshold for medical expenses.
Expenses eligible for reimbursement under the PHIT Act include sports and fitness equipment solely used to participate in a physical activity, gym memberships, fitness and exercise classes, sport/activity camps and clinics, youth and adult sports’ registration fees, lessons and clinics, running and fitness event registration fees and yoga and other physical activity expenses.
