The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) announced its enthusiastic support of the recently re-introduced Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act of 2011 (H.R. 2649) — lauding the legislation as an important component in promoting primary prevention as a means of controlling America’s health care costs.
Roughly $76.6 billion is spent each year on health care costs directly associated with inactivity. The PHIT Act would eliminate an existing federal policy barrier to exercise and create a health-promoting financial incentive for Americans to engage in physical fitness.
The PHIT Act allows for expenditures of up to $2,000 for physical fitness programs and exercise equipment to be payable out of pre-tax health investment accounts such as flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and/or medical reimbursement arrangements. Currently, these accounts are set up so individuals can pay for prescription drugs and doctor visits with pre-tax dollars — but there currently is no preventive component that supports health-preserving lifestyle practices.
“The PHIT Act helps put the focus on primary prevention,” said Joe Moore, the president and CEO of IHRSA. “It supports Americans in their efforts to engage in healthy physical activity, which will go far in deterring preventable chronic diseases that are driving up our country’s health care costs.”
Health-promoting activities, such as health club memberships, youth sports programs, Pilates and yoga classes, home exercise equipment, and other fees associated with programs of physical activity, would to be paid with pre-tax dollars if the PHIT Act is passed into law. The legislation, however, would not increase the total contribution limits to those pre-tax accounts.
The PHIT Act was introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives of the 112th Congress by Congressman Kevin Brady (R-TX), with strong bi-partisan support from Congressmen Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Ron Kind (D-WI), Bill Shuster (R-PA), Mike McIntrye (D-NC), William Lacy Clay (D-MO), Ron Paul (R-TX), C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersburger (D-MD), Jim Gerlach (R-PA), and Joe Barton (R-TX).
“We commend Congressman Brady and the bill’s co-sponsors and supporters for their leadership in creating a healthier, more prosperous America,” said Moore. “The PHIT Act is an important step in putting America’s physical and fiscal health back on track.”
