LANSING, MI, Dec. 16, 2025 — House Republicans on the Finance Committee, chaired by state Rep. Mark Tisdel, voted unanimously today in favor of legislation that would provide tax breaks for people who use spas, health clubs, private gyms and personal trainers. In the same hearing, 8 Republicans voted against a substitution to the bill that would extend the same tax deduction to groceries or prescription drugs, despite more than 1.5 million Michiganders struggling to afford food and nearly one third of Americans saying they forego necessary medication due to rising drug costs.

 

“Last week Republicans voted to eliminate funding for kids with cancer, so while today’s vote may be callous, it isn’t surprising,” said House Democratic Leader Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton). “We are just two weeks out from Christmas, and yet instead of dreaming about toys or special treats, hundreds of thousands of Michigan kids are just dreaming about having a full belly. Instead of voting to make it easier for their parents to afford groceries, Republicans chose to make it easier for someone going to the spa twice a week to save money.”

 

Recent data shows that while prices continue to rise in nearly every sector, from food to housing to utility costs, incomes remain stagnant across the country, and Michigan continues to have a worse unemployment rate than the national average. Rising costs continue to squeeze families at every income level, with nearly 30 percent of Michigan households struggling to cover the basics. Health care costs have become an even bigger concern, with 60 percent of adults utilizing at least one prescription drug, and nearly 30 percent requiring four or more medications.

 

“Healthy living does not begin or end in the gym. In fact, for many older adults, family members with chronic illnesses, or children battling life-altering conditions, seeing a personal trainer or going to fitness club isn’t going to help them find comfort and stability in their lives, but medication will,” said state Rep. Stephanie Young (D-Detroit), chair of the Detroit Caucus and member of the Finance Committee. Rep. Young offered a substitution for the bill that would have extended the tax deduction to grocery purchases and prescription drug costs, which was rejected without discussion. “Yet another missed opportunity by my Republican colleagues to help the Michiganders struggling the most – those who can’t afford country club memberships. House Democrats won’t stop fighting for the things that matter to most of us, the groceries and medication provide a real lifeline to good health.”

 

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