Posted on 03/10/2007 8:13:43 AM PST by NormsRevenge
Businesses would receive a tax credit equal to 10 percent of what they spend each year to improve the fitness of their employees -- everything from building on-site workout rooms to subsidizing health club memberships -- under a bill pending in the state Assembly.
The measure also would allow employers to claim the same credit for half the cost of hiring a person or company to provide nutritional advice, yoga instruction or substance-abuse prevention.
"We're trying to help people get into healthy, active lifestyles to prevent them from needing the hospital in the first place," said the bill's author, Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, D-Van Nuys. "An hour's worth of exercise would reduce the health costs to the employer, the employee and the state."
The measure is one of dozens introduced by lawmakers in the aftermath of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's goal voiced in January of extending health insurance coverage to the state's 6.5 million uninsured residents and bringing down treatment costs through disease prevention.
Levine is personally familiar with disease prevention: He is an asthmatic and marathon runner.
No estimate exists of what Levine's proposed tax credit could cost the state in lost revenue. The higher the amount of lost revenue, the more likely the scope of the bill will be reduced because state tax collections this year are already $1 billion below projections.
Levine's bill, AB1439, says "qualified fitness expenditures" by an employer include installing an employee gym, swimming pool, weight room, running track and indoor or outdoor courts or sports fields.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Have they tried eradication yet?
More California nanny-state? What the hell is going on down there? Next thing you know they will want to outlaw spanking and transfats.
Next, of course, will be an OBLIGATION to use the facilities or face getting fired.
After all, if the company is providing health insurance, is has the "right" to tell you how to live...
The health Nazis never rest...
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Shut up, Lloyd!
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
All this while average lifespans for man/woman have skyrocketed.
How is this a example of a nanny-state? I'd love to get a tax credit for gym memberships to my employees. That's a benefit I'm probably going to start offering this year anyway.
Sounds like a break for business to me.
You are kidding, right? I am all for doing things for business, but getting a tax break for this? No way.
This is just another liberal wacko who assumes that no one is as smart as he (Mr. Levine (whose description should be "N-Van Nuys") ["N" stands "Nanny Party"]) and, therefore, cannot figure out how to take care of themselves without government intervention. Whether they want to or not is irrelevant, apparently.
Just another example of idiots being elected by idiots; and these idiots continue to pass idiotic bills. I should know - I live in USSRW, where the voters in Seattle continue to reelect Rep. McDimwit and the state releases felons onto the street because there is no room in existing prisons.
As a taxpayer, it's not something I'd be in favor of, but as a business owner, I'll take anything I can get.
Mainly, I just don't consider this part of a Nanny State. No one is forcing anyone to do anything. Sure it's an incentive, but so are many other taxes and tax credits.
If you carry it out far enough, I can see where making it easier for more people to be in better shape is good for everyone. From my experiences, it's an undeniable fact that health conscience employees are on average much more productive.
It is, indeed, the nanny state because it is actually paying you to do something. Yes, you are not forced to do it, but there will be someone down the road who wants to make it law - that all employers are required by law to provide health-club provisions for their employees. Far-fetched? Not really - there is a bill in the Wash legislature right now that will provide five weeks of paid medical leave.
In summary, government should stay out of probably 95% of the areas in which they stick their noses. Including health care.
I spent some wonderful years in Kalifornia.
Glad I left.
Or put feng shui in the building code. Or ban incandescent bulbs. Or prohibit Indian (oops, Native American) school team names or mascots.
"Employees to get an online checkup"
http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/diseases/articles/2007/03/03/employees_to_get_an_online_checkup/
Soon we'll be wired like lab monkeys.
"The most feared words in the English language 'I am from the government and I am here to help'." -- Ronald Regan
"The most feared words in the English language 'I am from the government and I am here to help'." -- Ronald Reagan
Read the details of ArnoldCare (PDF). If you choose not to be on the "healthy" path (as determined and dictated by your Sacramento overlords), one way or another you will pay more. Joe Weider, the managers of Arnold's Gyms and Jenny Craig must love this proposal. I don't suppose they will consider heterosexuality a healthy behavior, though.
(snip)
The Healthy Action Rewards/Incentives program will reward Californians for participation in evidence-based practices and behaviors that have been shown to both reduce the burden of disease and are costeffective. Individuals in public programs, such as Medi-Cal and Healthy Families, will earn rewards that may include gym memberships or weight management programs. Participants enrolled in commercial plans, including CalPERS, will earn rewards and incentives, including premium reductions, for engaging in healthy activities. The Governor’s plan includes the creation of a new insurance subsidy pool administered by MRMIB through which low income adults will be provided with subsidized coverage. The pool’s coverage will also include a Healthy Action Incentive/Rewards program. All health plans and insurers will be required to offer a health benefit package(s) that includes incentives/rewards programs, including premium reduction, in the event that an employer wishes to make them available to their employees.
Um, that would be STFU, Lloyd!
Why don't we all just live and breath for government, forget any individuality, realize that we can't do a d@mn thing right on our own, and just work for the government and let them pay us for our labor as THEY deem fit?
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