SFIA Launches Social Campaign to Pass the PHIT Act

The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) has launched a six-month long social media campaign to urge Americans to send digital letters to members of Congress in support of the PHIT (Personal Health Investment Today) Act. Dubbed #PassThePHITAct, the interactive campaign leverages social media outlets and grassroots advocacy to spread awareness of the PHIT Act and garner support for its ratification.

A variety of like-minded organizations and supporters of the PHIT Act will also reach out to their stakeholders to extend the reach of this campaign.

The PHIT Act (H.R.1218 & S.2218) would change the IRS definition of a “medical expense” to include physical activity as a form of prevention.  Expanding the medical expense definition would make physical activity expenses reimbursable using pre-tax dollars in Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and would allow consumers to deduct physical activity costs once they meet the 10 percent of income threshold on medical expenses.

A central component of the campaign is a series of four sharable videos produced pro-bono by national advertising agency, BBDO Atlanta, as well as eye opening facts about the inactivity pandemic that is plaguing the nation. Supporters of the PHIT Act will share the videos along with suggested tweets and posts provided by SFIA to create awareness of the #PassThePHITAct initiative within their respective networks.

“This campaign is an industry-wide collaboration with the goal of connecting with parents, millennials, and advocates of physical activity,” said Tom Cove, CEO and president of SFIA. “Together with PHIT America and many partners, it’s vital we show Congress the importance of passing the PHIT Act and the direct impact it will have on improving the health of our nation. By lowering the financial barrier to be physically active in homes across the country, no one is left on the sideline when it comes to getting physically active.”  

Eligible expenses would include sports and fitness equipment solely used to participate in a physical activity, gym memberships, fitness & exercise classes, youth & adult sports’ registration fees, lessons & clinics. 

“During the campaign, we are calling on SFIA members and industry stakeholders to include Pass The PHIT Act content on their websites and social media pages, directing consumers and fans to PassThePHITAct.org and asking them to send letters of support to their members of Congress and Senate,” added Cove. “Together, we can make a difference by passing the PHIT Act which will remove the financial barrier of getting physically active and help overturn the trend of sedentary living.”

To participate in or learn more about the #PassThePHITAct Campaign, please contact Cameron Jacobs at cjacobs@sfia.org.