The Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA) has announced its support of the Safe Water Instruction for Minors (SWIM) Act, a new initiative that would impact national legislation and empower families to utilize their employer-provided FSA or HSA account for swim lessons as a qualified medical expense.
The SWIM Act was introduced to the House of Representatives by U.S. Rep. W. Gregory Steube (R-FL-17) as H.R. 9298. The bill is a landmark piece of legislation that both recognizes the importance of swim lessons in the face of increased child drowning rates and prioritizes access to those lessons through family-friendly means. The SWIM Act will add swim lessons to the list of qualified expenses and utilize pre-tax dollars to prevent drowning incidents.
"The SWIM Act is a huge step forward, allowing families to use HSA/FSA funds for life-saving swimming lessons will be a game changer for millions of Americans,” says Dallas Thiesen, FSPA chief government relations officer. “Family budgets are tight right now, so giving Americans the option to use their tax-free HSA or FSA accounts, that are often employer funded, will help make sure that swimming lessons are always in the budget."
FSPA was a key proponent in the realization of this act and continues to collaborate closely with the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) in spearheading awareness and enactment of the legislation.
“The SWIM Act is a crucial piece to solving the puzzle of access to swimming lessons not only in the state of Florida, but across our nation,” says Elizabeth McMurray, FSPA CEO. “We are proud to partner with PHTA to support the efforts of Rep. Steube in elevating the SWIM Act and ensuring families across the U.S. have the financial resources to access water safety and education resources, particularly swim lessons.”
In 2024, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance shared some jarring statistics related to drowning incidents:
- 88% of children drown with at least one adult present
- #1 cause of death for children ages 1-4
- #2 cause of unintentional injury/death for children ages 5-18
FSPA holds a long-standing interest in and support of water safety issues. The Association will continue to be a strong advocate for water safety and looks forward to supporting Rep. Steube in enacting this legislation through its resources and community focus.
