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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Mike McGeehan |
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Michele Obama visit re-energizes McGeehan toward ‘sweat’ tax credit
HARRISBURG, Feb. 19 – Inspired by today's visit of First Lady Michele Obama to Philadelphia to talk with schoolchildren about the need to avoid childhood obesity, state Rep. Mike McGeehan said he will reintroduce legislation that would allow a tax incentive for Pennsylvanians who invest in reducing their waist size and maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
McGeehan, D-Phila., first proposed the measure in 2006, but it did not get reported out of committee. With the growing realization that the nation, as a whole, needs to be more fit, he said the time is ripe for a new push for the measure.
Under McGeehan's proposal, a tax credit of $1,000 per year, per eligible household, could be allowed toward expenses relating to healthy living, including:
· purchase of exercise equipment;
· cost of membership at a gym or exercise spa;
· classes involving physical activity, such as sports, dance and martial arts and;
· other expenses as detailed by the Department of Health.
Statistics show that the lower a person’s income, the greater his or her chance is of being overweight. McGeehan’s Healthy Living Tax Credit would help Pennsylvanians, especially those of middle and lower income, afford the resources to fight obesity.
McGeehan said it is a win-win situation for individuals and taxpayers.
"Young or old, a substantially overweight individual not only is risking his or her own health and longevity by increasing the odds of developing afflictions such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes, but they’re actually threatening to put a burden on taxpayers and our entire health care system," McGeehan said. "They’re more likely to require emergency medical services and more health care over the long run.
"With the vast amount of funds the state and federal governments commit to health care, and the burden on businesses to pay for health insurance, we cannot afford to not provide financial incentives for ounces of prevention to avoid double-extra large pounds of cure."
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