Advocacy Alerts

Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act 

03-14-2018 13:37

Congress has moved in a broadly bipartisan effort over the last several years to address this issue with the “Personal Health Investment Today” or PHIT Act. This legislation would allow Americans to tap their pre-tax health savings accounts for physical activity expenses. Golf-related incentives covered in PHIT would include expenses for golf lessons, driving range fees, golf equipment and greens fees (excluding private clubs.) The PHIT Act would make it easier for more Americans to jump into a full range of sports and healthy activities, and the golf industry supports the PHIT Act’s inclusion of incentives that would get more people participating in the great game of golf. While this initiative is incorporated in the 2018 Omnibus budget proposal, should it not be approved, we will be asking Congress to support H.R. 1267 and S. 482.PHIT ACT (HR 1218 and S.2218)

Overview:

Introduced in March 2016 the Personal Health Investment Today Act amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to treat certain amounts paid for physical activity, fitness, and exercise as amounts paid for medical care. This Bill would allow individuals to credit as part of their Pre-Tax medical account of up to $1,000 for individual and $2,000 for annually. Click here to view the Golf Industry Support document from We Are Golf.

The Issue at Hand:

The PHIT Act would encourage healthier lifestyles by reducing the costs of activity. Adults and their kids will receive an incentive to help Americans get fit which will help prevent healthcare costs related to the obesity and sedentary crisis. Data reported by the We Are Golf Coalition has effectively shown that participating in golf activity positively contributes to one’s physical health.

NGCOA Position:

We along with along with our partners throughout the golf industry support this Bill. While there are some elements of the Bill which exclude some services offered by our Private Club facilities, many of the services offered are available to their members to take advantage of. The list of golf products and services included in the Bill Green Fees, Tournament Fees, Camps Clinics, Driving Range Fees, Golf Lessons, Golf Balls, Clubs, Bags, Golf Shoes, Golf Fitness Classes and Golf Training Aides1.

What Can You Do:

While this bill good support in the House and Senate, we would encourage you to let your US Representatives and Senators know that we need their support in the passage of this bill. This bill is currently in the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committee and must be included in the Health and Human Services Budget and approved as part of the Appropriations unless it is inserted as part of another legislative bill.

Click here to learn more about the PHIT America movement.

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