Pool & Hot Tub Alliance Supports SWIM Act Making Swim Lessons Eligible for HSAs & FSAs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2025

Media Contact:
Amy Willer
Director, Content and Communications
703-838-0083, ext. 121 | awiller@phta.org

POOL & HOT TUB ALLIANCE SUPPORTS SWIM ACT MAKING SWIM LESSONS ELIGIBLE FOR HSAS & FSAS

(Alexandria, Va.) — The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub, and spa industry, announced its support of the Safe Water Instruction for Minors (SWIM) Act, which was reintroduced to the House of Representatives earlier this month by U.S. Rep. W. Gregory Steube (R-FL-17) and co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC-2), U.S. Rep. Donald Davis (D-NC-1), and Del. James Moylan (R-GU-At Large). H.R. 1506 is a groundbreaking piece of bipartisan legislation designed to enhance water safety by authorizing basic, lifesaving swim lessons as a qualified expense for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs, Section 223) and Flexible Savings Accounts (FSAs, Section 125).

The SWIM Act of 2025 is a landmark bill that prioritizes drowning prevention and helps families proactively access lifesaving swim lessons. Both HSAs and FSAs can be used to save for qualified medical expenses, such as smoking cessation programs and medications. With the introduction of H.R. 1506, basic swim skills can be added as a qualified expense and allow the use of pre-tax dollars to prevent drowning accidents.

“The SWIM Act is a key step towards ensuring wider access to swim lessons for children throughout the nation,” said three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Rowdy Gaines, PHTA Vice President of Partnerships and Development, who leads PHTA’s Step Into Swim drowning prevention initiative. “Drowning incidents have increased over the past five years, particularly in underserved communities, but it has been proven that participating in swim lessons saves lives. Thank you to Rep. Steube and the SWIM Act co-sponsors for supporting water safety through this important, bipartisan piece of legislation.”

Drowning is the leading cause of death in children between the ages of 1 and 4 in the U.S., and nearly 90% of drownings in children under 5 happen at home. As learning to swim from a qualified instructor reduces the risk of drowning by 88% among this same age group, it is critical to equip families with the proper education and resources, including financial support through initiatives like the SWIM Act, to keep children safer around the water.

“Learning to swim not only introduces young people to a recreational activity, but also teaches them an invaluable skillset that saves lives,” says Rep. Steube. “It’s commonsense that our tax laws are adjusted to permit HSAs and FSAs to fund water safety lesson expenses. Swimming is a vital life skill, and water safety lessons are demonstrated to significantly reduce drownings. By giving Americans more freedom to make decisions with their hard-earned money, Congress can protect America’s youth while reducing costs for working families.”

PHTA applauds Rep. Steube for reintroducing this critical, lifesaving legislation and is proud to lead the coalition to secure its passage. PHTA remains dedicated to collaborating with Congress to promote meaningful discussion on pool and water safety. To join the coalition, visit SwimAct.org and connect with drowning prevention organizations, swim schools, and PHTA member companies.

PHTA promotes health and safety across the industry, with a focus on drowning prevention through its Step Into Swim drowning prevention initiative. Step Into Swim aims to create safer swimmers and provides learn-to-swim grants in underserved communities to further swim education. This grant program paired with the use of HSA or FSA funds means there are opportunities for families to lessen any financial burden placed on keeping their children safe around the water.

To learn more about PHTA, visit www.phta.org. To learn more about Step Into Swim, visit www.stepintoswim.org.

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About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance:
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with over 3,900 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $62B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth initiatives to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA promotes the use of pools by expanding swimming, water safety, and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer, and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.