NYC soda ban includes a call for more incentives for healthy behavior

While banning super-sized sodas may be one way to attack the current obesity epidemic, Fox News was smart in recognizing another avenue that could be a huge asset in the fight: the Workforce Health Improvement Program (WHIP). This act would create a benefits system that offers the same benefit to employees who go to a fitness club as to those that work out at their office gym. The WHIP Act recognizes the important role fitness facilities play and will help increase memberships by eliminating tax and paperwork burdens.

Here is an excerpt from the story, "Soft drinks are the whipping boy of anti-obesity campaigns":

Rather than penalize, incentivize. Senators John Cornyn’s (R-TX) and Tom Harkin’s (D-IA) Workforce Health Improvement Program (WHIP) Act introduced in October would help provide tax incentives to small businesses that encourage healthy lifestyles. Making gym memberships tax-deductible would be another good step.

For more on WHIP and other IHRSA-supported bills and acts, visit our Federal Activity page.