Rep. Greg Steube Introduces Legislation to Make Swimming Lessons Eligible for HSAs & FSAs
WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today introduced legislation to authorize basic swimming lessons as a qualified expense for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Savings Accounts (FSAs).
“Tragically, we lose Floridians every year to preventable drownings. Florida ranks 4th nationally in children’s drownings. It’s commonsense that our tax laws are adjusted to permit Americans’ HSAs and FSAs to help fund water safety lesson expenses. Swimming is a vital life skill, and water safety lessons are proven to prevent drownings by 88%,” said Rep. Steube. “We should be looking at ways to give Americans better control over their hard-earned HSA and FSA funds. This legislation is one of the ways Congress can give Americans increased options in their spending, while providing a more affordable path to a vital life skill.”
The legislation is supported by the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance.
“Learning to swim is not—and should not be—a luxury that only certain families can access,” said Olympic Gold Medalist Rowdy Gaines, the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance’s Vice President of Partnerships & Development. “Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, and we must raise awareness of water safety as a critical aspect of community health. By allowing parents to use HSA or FSA funds for swim lessons through the SWIM Act, we can significantly reduce drowning rates and remove financial barriers that prevent many children from learning this essential life skill.”
The legislation defines qualified water competency and water safety lesson expenses as water safety or swim lessons at a pool, lake or other water facility, for participation or instruction in water safety or swim lesson, or for equipment used in a program of water competency and water safety.
Approximately 4,000 fatal and 8,000 nonfatal drownings occur annually in the United States. Drowning is the single leading cause of death for children one to four. Research shows swimming lessons can reduce the risk of both fatal and non-fatal drownings by 88%.
According to an IRS FAQ, basic swimming lessons are not currently listed as an eligible HSA or FSA expense because they are categorized as exercise for the improvement of general health and, even if recommended by a doctor, is considered “only for the improvement of general health.” Essential water competency swim skills shouldn’t be broadly categorized with other forms of exercise. These life saving skills are designed to safely teach children how to enter water, how to resurface, control breathing, float on your back, turning and moving to safety in the water and how to exit. Adding basic swim skills as a qualified expense allows families to use pre-tax dollars to prevent water accidents and drownings.
