After a decade of lobbying by the Health & Fitness Association, the US House of Representatives has passed the reconciliation bill which includes the Personal Health Improvement Today (PHIT) Act.

Now the bill is being reviewed by the Senate before a final vote. If signed into law, the PHIT Act will allow individuals to use up to US$500 annually ($1,000 for families) in pre-tax funds to cover qualified physical activity expenses, including gym memberships, fitness classes, and youth sports.

HFA president and CEO, Liz Clark, celebrates this milestone: “The inclusion of the PHIT Act in the House-passed reconciliation bill is an important step toward expanding access to preventive health tools for millions of Americans. By allowing the use of pre-tax dollars for physical activity expenses, PHIT would help reduce barriers to exercise, support healthier lifestyles, and address the growing burden of chronic disease.”

The HFA’s success in securing PHIT’s inclusion in the House bill is the direct result of years of coordinated advocacy, strategic engagement with lawmakers, and the unified voice of HFA’s members making the case that physical activity is preventive health care.