Congress getting a workout on the PHIT Act
Athletic trainers and golf industry meet with legislators to promote PHIT
April 10, 2019 (Washington, D.C.) - The National Athletic Trainers Association held their annual advocacy day last week to ask for Congressional support of the PHIT Act and secured additional support for this pro-health legislation to encourage active lifestyles. This follows the successful launch of the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act during SFIA's National Health Through Fitness Day in March and precedes the golf industry's promotion of PHIT to Congress during National Golf Day on May 1.
The broad support for PHIT across all segments of the physical activity landscape sends a powerful message to Congress - that cost is a barrier to all activity, and PHIT will address this problem to increase active lifestyles in America. Inactivity has led to an increase in chronic conditions and mental health issues, which the CDC reported accounts for 90 percent of U.S. healthcare spending. Thomas Jefferson said it best, "Healthy Body - Healthy Mind." The easiest way to reduce healthcare spending is to get more people active.
"The continued push from all sectors of the active lifestyle world sends a great message to Congress," said SFIA Senior Vice President, Bill Sells. "PHIT is not about promoting just sports or just fitness or any single activity. The cost barrier to active healthy lifestyles cuts across all activities and demographics, from youth sports to seniors' activity and everything in between."
As a divided Congress explores ways to reduce healthcare outlays, PHIT is an attractive option, due to its history of bipartisan support. SFIA is fully committed to passing PHIT to increase activity in America and lowering healthcare spending, which is projected to reach 20 percent of our GDP by 2022. The U.S. cannot sustain a healthcare system that eats up $1 of every $5 our economy generates.
Our nation cannot medicate itself to health! Encouraging healthy living and facilitating it through PHIT makes complete sense and explains the strong bipartisan support the bill has received over the years.