We joked about it before, but here it is. State charges overweight workers.

[str8shooter]

I think it's only a matter of time before checking DNA for markers of a hereditary disease is next on the list.

Clips from the article below:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26337794/

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Alabama, pushed to second in national obesity rankings by deep-fried Southern favorites, is cracking down on state workers who are too fat.

The state has given its 37,527 employees a year to start getting fit — or they’ll pay $25 a month for insurance that otherwise is free.

Alabama already charges workers who smoke — and has seen some success in getting them to quit — but now has turned its attention to a problem that plagues many in the Deep South: obesity.

Computer technician Tim Colley already pays $24 a month for being a smoker and doesn’t like the idea of another charge.

E-K. Daufin of Montgomery, a college professor and founder of Love Your Body, Love Yourself, which holds body acceptance workshops, said the new policy will be stressful for people like her. “I’m big and beautiful and doing my best to keep my stress levels down so I can stay healthy” Daufin said. “That’s big, not lazy, not a glutton and certainly not deserving of the pompous, poisonous disrespect served up daily to those of us with more bounce to the ounce.”

Walter Lindstrom, founder of the Obesity Law and Advocacy Center in California, said he’s concerned that all overweight Alabama employees will get is advice to walk more and broil their chicken. “The state will feel good about itself for offering something and the person of size will end up paying $300 a year for the bad luck of having a chronic disease his/her state-sponsored insurance program failed to cover in an appropriate and meaningful fashion,” he said.

William Ashmore, executive director of the State Employees’ Insurance Board, said the state will spend an extra $1.6 million next year on screenings and wellness programs, but should see significant long-term savings.

Ashmore said research shows someone with a body mass index of 35 to 39 generates $1,748 more in annual medical expenses than someone with a BMI less than 25, considered normal.

[adymond]

Okay so we have the Peoples' Republic of NJ, CA, NY, DC, and now AL. WTF is going on here. Do we really need more nanny state policies. I am so fucked if they do that here in PA. I am too lazy and like food too much to get in shap in a year.

[nijwnfi]

$24 a month? WAAAAAHHHH!!! I pay $59 a week plus deductible. I know there are others here who pay more than that. I understand the State intervention thing, but I'd love to pay $24 a month!

[BerksCountyDave]

It says they make people who smoke pay for their insurance which would otherwise be free. . . here's the thing though . . .. what keeps those people from just saying they don't smoke?

[PisnNapalm]

Random blood testing.

[Pector55]

Good, this isn't a "freedom" thing. This is a personal responsibility thing. Instead of raising taxes to cover everyone the same way, let the people who wish to be obese or smoke pay their fare share to cover their extra expenses. It's no different than car insurance. Folks at a greater risk (due to something under their control) should pay more. That has been my point about not wanting a national healthcare system as well.

[Pector55]

Okay so we have the Peoples' Republic of NJ, CA, NY, DC, and now AL. WTF is going on here. Do we really need more nanny state policies. I am so fucked if they do that here in PA. I am too lazy and like food too much to get in shap in a year.

LOL, put a recumbent exercise bike in front of the TV and play a video game for an hour each night. On top of that, slap a piece of meat and all the veggies you can eat in a crock pot on Sunday and pack it for lunch all week. I have dropped nearly 40lbs that way. I have a broken bone in my hip (actually a non-union of the greater trochanter -sp?) and prior to losing weight I was in constant pain. I no longer have to go through the risky surgery because the pain went away.

[Duck]

Good, this isn't a "freedom" thing. This is a personal responsibility thing. Instead of raising taxes to cover everyone the same way, let the people who wish to be obese or smoke pay their fare share to cover their extra expenses. It's no different than car insurance. Folks at a greater risk (due to something under their control) should pay more. That has been my point about not wanting a national healthcare system as well.

What if they don't have extra expenses. That's like saying all thin people are healthy. Heck, I know thin people that eat more than the heavier people and have more health issues. My BMI is over 30 and the only time I go to the doctor is for my routine once a yr thing that every female has to get. Why should I pay more because I weigh more? If we're going to say that they should pay more, what's to say that they don't start doing genetic testing on everyone and if you're a carrier for certain diseases then your rates go up? Smoking is a choice for the most part, being obese isn't all the time. There are some people who eat right, exercise and are still obese. It's in their genes. Or how about, all men are at a risk for Prostrate cancer, therefore all men should have higher insurance rates. Or females, esp those with the genes that can cause breast cancer? Where do you want it to end? Once it starts, it won't stop. The BMI numbers are everything anyway. A body builder can have a BMI in the obese category and not have an ounce of fat. BMI is when it takes your height and weight into consideration. That body builder is bulky b/c of all the muscles, no fat, but all those muscles weigh something too. So you're going to penalize him? This has got to be one of the most stupid things I heard of and I can't believe that people actually think that this is ok to do.

[Philbert]

How is this an example of the nanny state? People who cost more to insure will be charged more in a free market - that's the opposite of a nanny state. A nanny state would be forcing everyone to be treated equally even though they're not. And you know what we call that, don't we kids? COMMUNISM! I wonder how many folks will change their mind on healthcare now that "personal responsibility" is going to come back to bite them in their generously proportioned asses.

[Longshot]

The way I see it, I wouldn't pay for their stupid health care..... It sounds like they are forcing people to have health care and than saying its free unless you are fat... or a smoker.. or whatever and that is BS. When it comes to peoples private lives the government needs to stay the fuck out. Explain to me why I should have health care? I don't go see many doctors. The only one I see is for an eye problem I have, and guess who pay's him? Me... Guess who pay's for the medicatons? Me.... So why should I have health insurance if I want to pay the doctor when I see him? I think health care should be available for those that need it or want it, but to mandate it is complete bull. Now if private health care instatutes want to slap people with a penelty for smoking or being unhealthy that is something different, but the government has absolutly no right to stick their nose in it...

Sorry [/rant]