WASHINGTON — As you may have heard, there are some serious issues being debated on Capitol Hill Wednesday. There’s another big one that you may not have realized, but if you’re a sports fan, you probably know a number of the people advocating for it.
A group of 20 athletes, headed by former NFL player and Olympian Herschel Walker and former MLB pitcher Tommy John, are in Washington on National Health Through Fitness Day to help Americans prevent and reduce health care costs. By encouraging Congress to enact the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act, costs related to sports, fitness and other physical activities would be able to be designated to personal flexible spending accounts, the same as other healthcare.
The deductions would apply to anything from a gym membership or entry to a 5K race for adults to new hockey skates or baseball gloves for kids, up to $2,000 each year per taxpayer. The idea is to encourage preventative maintenance for some of the health bills that come as we age by getting both children and adults in better shape now.
Consider it an investment in the future — the World Health Organization reported an investment of one dollar leads to $3.20 down the road in health care savings. Walker, who was one of the first athletes involved in the cause several years ago, also sees value past the monetary value, based on his own experience.
“I grew up overweight,” he says. “I was very fortunate to have two parents and a coach to show me how to get in shape. When you have confidence in yourself, you have confidence that you can overcome certain things.”
For John, who is being honored with the Sports & Fitness Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the legislation is merely the first part of the process. He’d like to see Mrs. Obama institute the fitness plan in conjunction with her initiatives for healthier food in order to build better routines for children.
“Congress can pass whatever, but it goes down to grassroots,” he says. “You would have healthier children. You would have, maybe, smarter children. You’ll miss less school, and if you continue it on as an adult, you’ll miss less work.”
Walker concurs that the implications reach far beyond simple physical activity.
“This is more than P.E. to me,” he says. “This is preventative healthcare.”