SFIA leads the effort to increase activity in America, from youth sports to adult fitness, by promoting policies that facilitate and encourage active lifestyles.
Personal Health Investment Today – PHIT ACT
SFIA’s goal is to make activity a cultural value to improve physical and mental health. SFIA leads the effort on the Personal Health Investment Today Act (PHIT Act) to promote health by lowering the cost of active lifestyles. Making activity a form of prevention will enable over 100 million Americans to use funds from pre-taxed medical accounts (HSAs, FSAs, etc.) to cover physical activity expenses for both adult sports and fitness and youth sports. Lowering the cost barrier to activity will lead to greater participation in sports and fitness activities and increased investment in active lifestyles.
Click here to learn more about the PHIT ACT and how you can take action!
Gym Mitigations and Survival – GYMS Act
Health clubs are a primary source of adult fitness and a key component to health in America. Restrictions during COVID-19 led to 25 percent of health clubs and fitness centers going out of business, according to The Global Health & Fitness Association (IHRSA), as the physical and mental health of Americans suffered. SFIA supports the Gym Mitigations and Survival (GYMS) Act to provide $30 billion dollars in Small Business Administration grants to health clubs affected by the pandemic.
YOUTH SPORTS
Youth sports are the foundation for healthier, more active lifestyles. The youth sports industry was devastated by the pandemic, and children’s health suffered from the isolation policies in states. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) collects an excise tax on gaming revenues equal to $100 million dollars annually that SFIA is advocating be used for youth sports programming and facility development. SFIA applauds New York and Ohio for committing more than $200 million dollars in gaming revenues to fund youth sports and is pushing for other states to join this commitment. Additionally, to address the shortage of youth recreation spaces in urban areas, SFIA supports legislation currently being worked on to develop youth sports infrastructure in activity deserts.
Outdoor Recreation
Access to recreational spaces is key to active lifestyles and better health. The shortage of green space in urban communities contributes to poor health outcomes and higher rates of preventable diseases. The Outdoor Recreation Leadership Partnership funds park development in urban areas. SFIA is working with our partners on policies for more recreational space and sports facilities to increase participation. Full funding of the Land & Water Conservation Fund guarantees $900 million dollars in funding for upgrading existing parks and for the creation of new parks.
For more information or questions regarding SFIA’s promotion of physical activity, please contact Bill Sells.