Every month, we’re sharing the notable work that our director of advocacy and IIN graduate, Darrell Rogers, is doing in Washington, D.C., to increase the visibility and recognition of Health Coaches.

Even though we’re still socially distancing and having few in-person meetings on the Hill, we’re working hard for our Health Coaches and the wellness community. Our goal is to raise the visibility of Health Coaches and leverage public policy to increase the use of health coaching services.

We know the value of health coaching and the transformational journey one can go through while working with a Health Coach. We also know how Health Coaches can support lifestyle changes that help reverse chronic disease.

While we have some outstanding champions in Congress, we need our amazing community to reach everyone. As part of Health Coach Day 2020, we asked you to participate in our three pillars: community, education, and service. To continue some of the amazing work highlighted on Health Coach Day, it’s important to learn about the numerous pieces of legislation we’re working on for our community’s behalf.

We ask you to consider contacting your representatives and senators to support the following legislation. 

• Find contact information for your senators here. 
• Find contact information for your representatives here.

(H.Res.117/S.Res.227) Expressing support for health and wellness coaches - These pieces of legislation recognize the value and importance of health and wellness coaches.

The ask: Please help support the roles of health and wellness coaches and the vital role they play in improving an individual’s wellness.

(S.12) Health Savings Act of 2019 – This bill expands the health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) allowable for pre-tax services and products. “Health coaching” is included in this bill as an allowable HSA/FSA expense.

The ask: Please help pass this bill, which modifies the requirements for HSAs, in the Senate. Please help introduce this bill in the House to further support the necessary updates to HSA requirements.

(S.3779/H.R.7032) Skills Renewal Act – These bipartisan bills would establish a tax credit for training services received by individuals who are unemployed as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. Some health coaching programs would be considered qualified training service providers.

The ask: Please help pass this bill in the Senate and House, which will allow eligible individuals to receive a refundable tax credit for expenses paid for qualified training services.

(H.R.1679/S.680) PHIT Act of 2019 – This bill allows a medical care tax deduction of up to $1,000 for qualified sports and fitness expenses per year for participating in physical activity, including fitness facility memberships, physical exercise or activity programs, and equipment for a physical exercise or activity program.

The ask: Please help pass this bill in the Senate and the House to support treating certain amounts paid for physical activity, fitness, and exercise as amounts paid for medical care.

Darrell Rogers began his career in Washington, D.C., 20 years ago and has worked for members of Congress and several notable nonprofit organizations and political campaigns. More recently, his work has been committed to protecting and promoting holistic healthcare access.