Flex Plan reform? Anyone know where to start?

[vi edit]

Right now I can use my Flex plan to cover medical insurance premiums, eyeglasses, OTC drugs, and physical therapy.

I want to try and expand what flex plans cover to include preventative measures like health club memberships and exercise equipment for home use.

I know it's not a huge savings, but depending on your tax bracket it could save you upwards of 30% on those items. Instead of a nice elliptical machine costing you $2000 it would only run about $1300. Health clubs would run you $20 a month instead of $30, ect. Plus you get to dump it into a hard to fumble with account that you can only use for those purposes. You can't squander it away easily through the year.

I know flex plans are governed by a federal body, but I don't know where to start on it.

2/3 of American's are overweight. Those of us who want to put our money to something beneficial to ourselves should be able to.

Only real downside I would see to it is inflation in the club fees and costs of exercise equipment because of newfound influx of cash in that market.

Too much wishful thinking, or does my request seem logical?

 

[Kyteland]

My company has a "Wellness reimbursement plan" where they will pay 50% of expenses (up to $200) related to improving your health. Right now it's limited to health club memberships, weight loss/aerobics classes, and costs of quitting smoking. I wish it covered more, but it's a step in the right direction. They realize that healthy employees produce better work. (on average)