The Personal Health
Investment Today Act
I
n March, the Personal Health
Investment Today (PHIT) Act (H.R.
1267) was introduced to Congress.
If finalized, the bill would expand the tax-
related definition of “medical expense” to
include qualifying preventative fitness and
wellness expenses, such as gym member-
ships and personal trainers.
The PHIT Act will allow Americans
to use pre-tax medical accounts to pay
for physical activity expenses, which
currently are used primarily for reim-
bursement of medical expenses once a
person becomes sick. This incentive for
adults and their children to get fit will
help decrease health care costs related to
preventable chronic diseases.
The proposed legislation would allow
up to $1,000 ($2,000 for joint filers) of
pre-tax funds to be set aside in a health
savings account (HSA) or similar types of
flexible spending accounts, which could
result in up to a 30 percent tax savings on
qualifying fitness expenses. Lower costs
• Inactivity is the fourth leading
cause of death, ahead of being
obese and overweight.
• 28 percent of Americans are
totally sedentary – that number is
growing each year.
• 2 of 3 children are not active to
healthy standards.
• 80 percent of children are at
risk for disease due to physical
inactivity.
• This is the first generation
that may not live as long as
their parents.
– Source: www.phitamerica.org
representatives. This old-fashioned way is
still effective.
• Engage in the PHIT Act social
media campaign to spread the word.
• Network. Tell your friends to do
the same.
It is crucial that members of the
fitness industry explain why and how this
bill will help save money and lives. Your
voice matters! G
For more information on the PHIT Act,
visit www.phitamerica.org.
will promote active lifestyles and improve
the health of Americans.
Under the PHIT Act, activities
eligible for pre-tax reimbursement
include:
• Youth and adult sports league fees
• Health club membership dues
• Exercise classes and personal
trainers
• Sports and fitness equipment
(used exclusively for participation
in physical activities)
• Youth camps
• Pay-to-play school sports fees
• Organized running event
registration fees
• Martial arts, gymnastics and other
physical activities
The PHIT Act has bipartisan support
in Congress, and momentum is positive
for passage in 2017. This legislation aligns
closely with franchisees’ goals to help
others, and the Planet Fitness ® commu-
nity can show its support by:
• Emailing your member of
Congress. Use the simple digital tool at
http://www.phitamerica.org/Advocate/
ADVOCATE_PHIT.htm. This simple
process uses your ZIP code to send a pre-
written letter to senators and representa-
tives from your district. Five minutes of
your time is worth a healthier America!
• Call your representatives. Let
them know how important you feel the
PHIT Act is to the future of the country.
• Write a personal letter to your
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