A group of bipartisan lawmakers has reintroduced the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act, a cost-effective solution aimed at helping more Americans prioritize their health through physical activity. As Congress navigates budget reconciliation, PHIT presents a timely, fiscally responsible opportunity to address rising health care costs and expand access to preventive health solutions.
Leading the charge on this bill are U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), along with U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), demonstrating strong bipartisan support for making fitness more accessible through the tax code.
The PHIT Act would allow Americans to use pre-tax dollars from health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to cover fitness-related expenses — including gym memberships, fitness classes, youth sports fees and equipment. By making fitness more affordable, PHIT directly addresses one of the most common barriers to exercise: cost.
“Nearly 60% of Americans say cost is a major reason they don’t use fitness facilities,” said Liz Clark, president and CEO of the Health & Fitness Association (HFA). “The PHIT Act is a smart investment in prevention. It helps families take charge of their health, supports local fitness businesses, and ultimately saves the health care system billions.”
The Impact of PHIT
HFA research highlights the potential benefits of PHIT:
- The policy could prevent up to 500,000 cases of chronic disease annually, saving an estimated $12.2 billion in health care costs.
- A 10% reduction in fitness costs could encourage up to 17 million more Americans to become physically active.
- The policy could drive up to $12.3 billion in consumer spending and create 230,000 new jobs in the fitness industry.
“PHIT is the kind of bipartisan, common-sense legislation that belongs in the reconciliation package,” said Mike Goscinski, the VP of government affairs at HFA. “The data is clear — removing financial barriers to fitness leads to healthier people and a stronger economy. Now is the time to get this done.”
The PHIT Act also aligns with broader national health initiatives, including the Trump Administration’s Make America Healthy Again agenda, which emphasizes the role of preventive care and expanded fitness access in improving health outcomes and reducing health care spending.
Making Fitness More Affordable and Accessible
Senator Thune emphasized the bill’s role in encouraging long-term physical activity.
“The PHIT Act would reduce some of the cost barriers that Americans face when pursuing healthy lifestyles and make it easier and more affordable for folks to stay active,” said Thune. “By giving Americans greater flexibility with their HSAs and FSAs, we can empower people to make healthy choices, get active, and hopefully prevent the onset of costly chronic conditions as we work to make America healthy again.”
Read the full statement from Senator Thune and the bipartisan sponsors.
Public support for PHIT is overwhelming, with 85% of Americans — including majorities of Democrats (88%), Independents (86%) and Republicans (84%) — backing the expansion of pre-tax fitness eligibility. With 61% of working Americans already using HSAs or FSAs, PHIT is a ready-to-implement solution with nationwide impact.
HFA applauds Senators Thune and Murphy, and Representatives Kelly and Panetta, for their leadership in reintroducing this vital legislation and advocating for policies that promote healthier, more active communities.
