Boston – The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) today voiced its ardent opposition to the proposed sales tax on health and athletic club services as outlined in the Governor’s budget. Rising health care costs coupled with mounting scientific evidence that supports the many benefits of regular exercise indicate a need for the state to encourage its citizens to engage in regular physical activity. The burden imposed by this sales tax would only deter the people of New Jersey from accessing the health benefits provided by the fitness industry by penalizing those who choose to improve their quality of life through exercise.
“Physical inactivity has serious health and economic consequences,” said John McCarthy, executive director of IHRSA. “Public health experts unanimously agree that inactive lifestyles result in increased health care costs, increased governmental spending, illness and worker absenteeism. Our elected officials need to encourage – not discourage the people of New Jersey to make physical activity a regular part of their lives.”
The issue of obesity and physical inactivity, as it relates to both physical and fiscal health affects every citizen of the state of New Jersey. Exercise is an acknowledged, proven and cost-effective therapy in the prevention and treatment of a significant number of conditions including cancer, depression, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and stroke. The cost of physical inactivity affects Medicare and Medicaid. In New Jersey, obesity-attributable expenditures were approximately $2.3 billion between 1998 and 2000. In addition, $591 million in Medicare spending and $630 million in Medicaid spending alone can be attributed to obesity.
About IHRSA
IHRSA is a not-for-profit trade association representing health and fitness facilities, gyms, spas, sports clubs and suppliers worldwide. IHRSA is committed to taking a leadership role in advancing physical activity, which is critical to America’s health and the battle against obesity and disease. IHRSA supports effective national initiatives to promote more active lifestyles and is working to pass laws that will help affect societal changes toward a more fit America.
