Proposed Federal Legislation to Offer Tax Credits for Workplace Wellness Programs and HRAs
Lawmakers reintroduced a Bill to Encourage Employee
Wellness Programs Apr 6, 2009. Senators Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and John Cornyn
(R-Texas) and Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and Mary Bono Mack
(R-Calif.) are sponsoring the reintroduction of the Healthy Workforce
Act, which encourages businesses to provide healthier work environments
for employees, AHA News Now reports. Originally introduced in 2007, the
bill provides tax incentives to businesses that offer and promote
comprehensive wellness programs for their employees. To receive the tax
credit, wellness plans must include at least three of four components,
including health risk assessment programs; behavioral change
initiatives on topics such as obesity, tobacco use and fitness; on-site
policies that promote health, such as a smoke-free workplace and
nutritious food offerings; and incentives for employee participation in
wellness programs. The bill was reintroduced and endorsed at the launch
of the U.S. Workplace Wellness Alliance, a coalition of more than 75
businesses including the American Hospital Association, the American
Heart Association and the National Business Coalition on Health