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PHIT Act Passes the House, Now Moves to Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 25, 2018) — In a major step to help overcome the “Inactivity Pandemic” and improve the health of Americans, the U.S. House of Representatives late this afternoon passed the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act by a bipartisan vote of 277-142. The PHIT Act now moves to the Senate for consideration.

The action in the House comes less than two weeks after being passed by the House Ways and Means Committee by a vote of 28-6. The PHIT Act was part of a larger package of health savings account (HSA) reform measures.

The PHIT Act will make physical activity expenses—including certain tennis and racquet sport expenses—reimbursable through pre-tax dollars in Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). Expenses eligible for reimbursement under the PHIT Act include fitness & exercise classes; sport/activity camps and clinics; youth & adult sports’ registration fees; sports and fitness equipment solely used to participate in a physical activity; instructional lessons and clinics; running & fitness event registration fees; yoga; and other physical activity expenses.

The PHIT bill was drafted in 2006 by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) and introduced to the House committee by former member Jerry Weller (D-IL) in 2007. Support for the measure has been building over the last 10 years. The SFIA, PHIT America, and other leaders in the sports, health, and fitness industries have been pushing for the PHIT Act to be approved by Congress for more than a decade.

“This is tremendous news and it’s encouraging that our voices are being heard in Washington, D.C. by our national legislators,” said PHIT America Founder Jim Baugh. “Passage of the PHIT Act will make physical activity more affordable for all Americans, especially families.”

Posted on July 25, 2018
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