A bipartisan group of lawmakers reintroduced the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act, a commonsense, cost-saving solution to empower more Americans to invest in their health through physical activity. As Congress works through the ongoing budget reconciliation process, PHIT offers a timely and fiscally responsible opportunity to address rising healthcare costs and improve nationwide access to preventive health solutions.
The bill is led by U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), reflecting strong bipartisan support for expanding access to fitness through the tax code.
By allowing Americans to use pre-tax dollars from Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to cover fitness expenses—including gym memberships, fitness classes, youth sports fees, and equipment—the PHIT Act directly tackles one of the leading barriers to exercise: affordability.
“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. “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 healthcare system billions.”
HFA research shows that:
- The PHIT Act could prevent up to 500,000 cases of chronic disease annually, saving an estimated $12.2 billion in healthcare costs.
- Even a modest 10% cost reduction could inspire up to 17 million more Americans to become physically active.
The policy could generate up to $12.3 billion in additional consumer spending and create 230,000 new jobs.
“PHIT is the kind of bipartisan, common-sense legislation that belongs in the reconciliation package,” said Mike Goscinski, vice president of government affairs at the Health & Fitness Association. “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 priorities, including the Trump Administration’s MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) agenda, which emphasizes the importance of preventive care and expanding access to fitness as a pathway to better health outcomes and reduced healthcare spending.
Senator Thune highlighted the PHIT Act’s role in empowering Americans to stay active throughout their lives.
“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.
PHIT enjoys overwhelming support from the public, with 85% of Americans—including majorities of Democrats (88%), Independents (86%), and Republicans (84%)—supporting the expansion of pre-tax fitness eligibility. With 61% of working Americans already accessing HSAs or FSAs, PHIT is a ready-to-implement solution with nationwide impact.
The Health & Fitness Association thanks Senators Thune and Murphy, and Representatives Kelly and Panetta, for their leadership in reintroducing this critical legislation and advancing policies that promote healthier, more active communities.