Working Together for a Healthier America
Our nation needs you to exercise your rights and lobby Congress for a healthier America and a prosperous fitness industry. Join IHRSA and fitness professionals from across the country for an enlightening two-day event in our nation's capital next May, as this is the only national lobbying event for the fitness industry.
Event Overview
Being involved in grassroots lobbying is something every fitness professional can do, whether you work for a large chain of clubs or you own a small independent club, and doing so is personally and professionally rewarding. The work we are doing in DC benefits all clubs and all Americans.
Turn on the news or read the newspaper on any given day and you are likely to see a story
about the skyrocketing weight of American adults and children. Lawmakers and leaders call it a crisis but there is not yet an effective national solution to the physical inactivity or obesity epidemics. While they understand the role that regular exercise plays in a healthy lifestyle, less apparent is the indispensable role that you and your club play in that healthy lifestyle.
Unite with other concerned fitness professionals in May to talk to legislators and policy makers about the vital role of regular exercise and health clubs in solving one of the greatest public health problems facing America. We have a powerful story to tell and now is the time to come together and speak as one voice.
What IHRSA Supports
The Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Bill
The PHIT Bill allows for expenditures for physical fitness programs and exercise equipment to be payable out of certain pre-tax health investment accounts. Consumers with these spending and savings accounts can currently pay for prescription drugs and doctor visits with pre-tax dollars. This would be a positive step towards covering the costs of preventative measures as well.
The Workforce Health Improvement Program (WHIP) Act
The WHIP Act would allow employers to deduct the cost of health club memberships for their employees and would ensure that this benefit would not be classified as additional income to employees. Quite simply, the WHIP Act takes the IRS out of the corporate wellness equation. By doing so, WHIP represents a win-win proposition for both employer and employees alike. It also is a positive step by the government to support businesses of all sizes that help their employees lead healthy lives.
Testimonials
You need to be visible to get lawmakers to focus on your issues… What I have found, in my 25 years in Washington, is that legislators truly want your information, and they want yout to explain the issues to them. They want to be responsive… They came here to get things done, so come talk to them!
 Mary Matalin
Political Commentator & Previous Keynote Speaker
You're in a great business at the right time. A sedentary lifestyle is a recipe for failing. You've got to be physically active to experience all of the joys of life. The WHIP Act is designed to encourage people to exercise and lead healthier lifestyles by offering them financial incentives to do so. It makes economic sense because Medicare costs would go down, Medicaid costs would go down, and workplace productivity would increase.
Congressman Zach Wamp (R-TN)
Leading WHIP Act Supporter
I believe we in the fitness industry have a responsibility to provide leadership in the fight against obesity and other lifestyle related diseases. It is incumbent upon us to trumpet that message of wellness to all those whose decisions impact the lives of our fellow citizens.
Roland Brown
CEO of Concierge Fitness
What we should be doing is providing real encouragement-financial incentives-so that Americans will take better care of themselves. A lot of people know that they need to be healthy, but require a little push. The WHIP Act would give them the chance to enjoy the benefits of belonging to a health club, which is in the best interest of both the employee and the employer.
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee
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2010 Sponsors
Testimonials
The Summit is very different than most conferences I attend. I learned about IHRSA, our government, the inner workings of other successful health and fitness companies, and met a lot of very friendly people within our industry.
Heather Sharpe
General Manager, Plus One
More . . .
Contact IHRSA
Telephone:
+1 800-228-4772 US / Canada
+1 617-951-0055 International
Fax:
+1 617-737-3323
E-Mail:
IHRSAmeetings@ihrsa.org
IHRSAtradeshows@ihrsa.org
Mail:
IHRSA Events
Seaport Center, 70 Fargo Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
USA
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