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Health & Fitness

Pikesville Health Club Speaks Up on Capitol Hill

Alturnative Fitness (the new health club coming to Pikesville) meets with elected officials about backing legislation in support of a healthier America. Read more about the pending legislation.

As a nation we continue to suffer from chronic disease, obesity and lack of exercise, and health care costs continue to rise. Health clubs and others in the fitness industry have an opportunity lead the fight against unhealthy lifestyles and preventable diseases.

As Alturnative Fitness prepares for the opening of its new location in Pikesville, we are among the members of International Health Racquet Sports Association (IHRSA) that are having one-on-one meetings today with elected officials on Capitol Hill. As the CEO of a Pikesville and Maryland club and member of IHRSA, I am speaking to those on The Hill about a number of legislations that promote and support primary prevention and reward Americans in the form of tax savings for engaging in physical activity.

When the government wanted to encourage us to save for retirement for ourselves, and college for our children, it didn’t just "urge it;" it created the means and opportunity, and made it very attractive to do, through legislation and tax savings. It follows to reason that if we as nation truly want to encourage healthier behaviors that we should do the same—legislation and tax savings.

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We have seen some movement in this area; as an industry, we are saying that we need to see more. This week we are encouraging our elected officials to support the following legislation.*

The Personal Health Investment Today Act (PHIT | H.R. 2649)

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The PHIT Act makes it easier for American families to engage in physical fitness and exercise. It would allow Americans to utilize up to $1,000 annually from pre-tax health savings accounts for organized individual and team sports, fitness and exercise, recreation, and other physical activities.

Currently, these types of accounts can be used for prescriptions, doctor visits and other expenses related to the treatment of illness and medical conditions. Why not prevention?

Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids Act (FIT Kids | S. 576/H.R. 1057)

The FIT Kids Act amends the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act to increase children’s physical activity throughout the school day. The bill requires all schools, districts and states to report on the quantity and quality of physical education; amends existing school programs to integrate physical activity and wellness throughout the day; and supports professional development for health and physical education teachers and principals, so they can increase their students' ability to learn and help promote healthy lifestyles and physical activity. The bill also funds a study to examine the impact of health and physical activity on student achievement and find effective ways to increase physical activity during the school day.

Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP)

PEP provides the only federal funding dedicated to physical education. Through 2010, PEP has distributed more than $600 million in funding to schools and community-based organizations to implement and expand quality physical education programs for children in kindergarten through high school. 

The Physical Activity Guidelines Act

In 2008, the federal government issued the first-ever Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Since that time, new research has added to our understanding of the benefits of physical activity and we will continue to learn. The Act would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to publish new standards every 10 years, with a review of the latest scientific and medical research relating to physical activity every 5 years.

Let us know if you like to know more about legislation in support of primary prevent or how you as consitutent can show your support.

* Source for summary of legislation: IHRSA 10th Annual Summit for a Healthier America Advocate Briefing Book.

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