U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) introduced bipartisan legislation on Thursday aimed at reducing drownings by making swimming lessons an eligible expense for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). The Safe Water Instruction for Minors (SWIM) Act seeks to address the alarming rate of drownings in the U.S., particularly among children, by removing financial barriers to water safety education.
“Every year, Floridians lose friends and loved ones to preventable drownings. Our state has the fourth-highest rate of childhood drownings,” said Rep. Steube. “Learning to swim not only introduces young people to a recreational activity but also teaches them an invaluable skillset that saves lives. It’s commonsense that our tax laws are adjusted to permit HSAs and FSAs to fund water safety lesson expenses.”
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The SWIM Act is co-led by Representatives James Moylan (R-Guam), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), and Don Davis (D-N.C.), making it a rare bipartisan effort in a divided Congress. The bill has garnered support from prominent organizations, including the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance.
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 and a significant risk for older children and adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4,000 fatal and 8,000 nonfatal drownings occur annually in the United States. Research shows that formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88%, making water safety education a critical public health issue.
“As a former swim instructor and lifeguard, I know that everyone should be able to access life-saving, basic swimming courses to stay safe in the water,” said Rep. Ross. “Our bipartisan, common-sense bill will ensure that Americans can use the money they’ve allocated to HSAs and FSAs to afford water safety lessons. The SWIM Act is a simple adjustment to the tax code that will save lives.”
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The SWIM Act would allow families to use pre-tax dollars from HSAs and FSAs to pay for water safety and swimming lessons, as well as related equipment. The legislation defines qualified expenses as:
- Water safety or swim lessons at a pool, lake, or other water facilities.
- Participation or instruction in water safety or swim lessons.
- Equipment used in a program of water competency and water safety.
Currently, the IRS categorizes swimming lessons as a form of exercise for general health improvement, making them ineligible for HSA or FSA reimbursement—even if recommended by a doctor. The SWIM Act seeks to reclassify basic swimming skills as essential life-saving training rather than general fitness activities.
The bill has received strong bipartisan backing, with co-sponsors emphasizing the importance of water safety education for all Americans. “As an island, Guam understands that knowing how to swim can save your life and the lives of others,” said Rep. Moylan. “Allowing families and individuals to use their HSAs on swim lessons and water safety courses is a commonsense approach that may save thousands of lives.”
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Rep. Davis echoed this sentiment, stating, “We must do everything we can to expand access to swimming lessons to prevent drownings and save lives. Basic water competency swim lessons have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of drowning, making them a crucial life-saving skill.”
The legislation has also gained support from Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines, who serves as the Vice President of Partnerships & Development for the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance.
“Learning to swim is not—and should not be—a luxury that only certain families can access,” Gaines said. “By allowing parents to use HSA or FSA funds for swim lessons through the SWIM Act, we can significantly reduce drowning rates and remove financial barriers that prevent many children from learning this essential life skill.”
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