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Home >> Public Policy >> National Health-through-Fitness DayNational Health-through-Fitness DayClick here to register for SGMA's National Health-through-Fitness Day on March 4, 2009. Click here to view what the NFL Players Association had to say about this year's successful National Health-through-Fitness Day. The game plan for the day entailed a series of face-to-face discussions with Members of Congress about the importance of federal funding for quality physical education (PEP) and increasing physical activity for families by making it more accessible and more affordable for all Americans (PHIT). There were more than 100 meetings with U.S. Senators and Representatives, plus an additional 20 meetings with key Congressional staff members, scheduled for the day. The celebrities participating in National Health-through-Fitness Day included:
There were a number of representatives from SGMA member organizations which participated in the lobbying process. Those companies included Accusplit, Under Armour, Disney Sports, NBA, Polar Electro, Reebok, Schutt Sports Group, ICON Health & Fitness, Cramer Products, New Balance Athletic Shoe, Nike, Easton Sports, Horizon Fitness, Rawlings Sporting Goods, Russell Athletic, and Spalding. The advocates walked the halls of Congress campaigning for two physical activity initiatives:
PEP provides grants to local school districts and community based programs to purchase equipment and train instructors in innovative physical education methods. Since 2001, PEP has successfully enhanced K-12 physical education programs across the country through almost $500 million in grants used for training in state-of-the-art health and wellness-based physical education methods. PEP uses new technology such as heart-rate monitors, pedometers, and the acquisition of state-of-the-art fitness equipment and facilities. The PHIT Act, sponsored by U.S. Representative Jerry Weller (R-IL), has risen from a concept in the fall of 2005 to a viable vehicle for improving the health of Americans through physically active lifestyles. The PHIT Act would change current federal tax law to allow for the deduction or use of pre-tax dollars to cover expenses related to sports, fitness and other physical activities. Once an individual or family spends 7.5% of their income on qualified medical expenses, they can deduct physical activity expenses directly. More than 45 million Americans live in families that meet the 7.5% threshold to deduct medical expenses. PHIT would also allow Americans to invest up to $1,000 annually in existing pre-tax medical accounts to pay for physical activities. PHIT would only expand the eligible expenses for pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Medical Savings Accounts (MSA), and/or medical reimbursement arrangements. PHIT would not increase contribution limits to these accounts. The consortium asked Congress to approve the PEP Bill in Fiscal Year 2009 for $100 million. In Fiscal Year 2001, the PEP Bill was approved for $5 million; $50 million in FY 2002; $60 million in FY 2003; $70 million in FY 2004; $73.4 million in FY 2005; $72.7 million in FY 2006; $73 million in FY 2007; and $75.6 million in FY 2008. Attendees found this year's advocacy day to be very successful and rewarding:
Anybody who was unable to attend National Health-through-Fitness Day can get involved in this advocacy effort by contacting their local U.S. Representative and their two U.S. Senators to express their interest in seeing both pieces of legislation get passed. Click here to write to Congress on PEP Click here to write to Congress on PHIT Click here to sign the PHIT Petition Click here to submit meeting reports Click here to read press release Register for SGMA's 2009 National Health-through-Fitness Day |
