Alabama workers to pay for extra pounds [Fatties pay more for insurance]

MSNBC ^ | 8/21/08

[mngran2]

Next year, the state will add a $25 insurance fee for being overweight

Alabama, pushed to third 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 will be the first state to charge overweight state workers who don’t work on slimming down, while a handful of other states reward employees who adopt healthy behaviors.

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.

[Flo Nightengale]

Simple or not, BMI just isn’t very accurate. And what’s the point of using such a measurement?

Since muscle is more dense than fat, many physically fit people are mistakenly classified as “overweight”, while they are actually less likely to die young than a “normal” weight individual whose excess weight is mostly fat.

[GOPJ]

My point was that members of the liberal PC protected class are NEVER considered when it comes to discussing who pays more for insurance.

[GOPJ]

Why shouldn't gay people pay more for insurance?

Or vegetarians?

Whenever you talk to a vegetarian about something other than food, it's about what their doctor said last week.

Why shouldn't they pay more? (Hint: it's because they're members of liberal groups and no one ever will ask them to pay their share)

[auboy]

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.

Good to know the state is cracking down and getting tough. /sarcasm

[GOPJ]

Or how about liberal Hollywood folks with all their surgeries? Even if they pay for the elective ones, they put themselves at risk... Should they pay more?

And folks who go to nightclubs - drinkers have many more health problems. What about them?

[God luvs America]

elective surgery is usually not covered under health insurance...if it were 90% of women would likely get boob jobs...

not all folks who go to nightclubs and drink put themselves in health risk....if that’s the case everyone in a big city should pay more based on the hazards of crossing the stret...

[GOPJ]

...not all folks who go to nightclubs and drink put themselves in health risk....

Not all people who smoke get lung cancer - it's something like 4% or less. My point is I'm tired of only the groups liberals hate being harassed.

Lots of liberal groups are living at elevated health risks. Let's talk about it.

[GOPJ]

why shouldn’t obese people, smokers and those who have habits which can lead to health problems but ones WHICH THEY CAN CONTROL not pay more for health insurance???

I'm with you - BUT, why shouldn't gays, nightclub denizens and people who live in violent neighborhoods pay more? Lets throw some liberal groups into the pot.

[KeyLargo]

This will be nothing compared to Obama health care.

Alabama to Charge Obese State Employees More

August 22, 2008

Alabama state employees suffering from obesity and three other health problems will eventually have to pay extra for their health insurance if they don’t try to control their problems.

The State Employees’ Insurance Board has approved a plan that will charge state workers an extra $25 per month, starting January 2010, if they don’t have a free health screening. If the screening turns up no problems, they don’t have to pay the $25 in the future.

If the screening turns up serious problems with blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose or obesity, then employees will have one year to see a doctor, enroll in a wellness program or take other steps to improve their health. If they do, they won’t have to pay the $25 monthly. But if they don’t, they will have to pay the $25 per month starting in January 2011.
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Find this article at:

http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2008/08/22/93000.htm

[socialismisinsidious]

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[4Liberty]

I agree.

We should price (charge for) risk - not “pool” it. That is how we preserve liberty.

“The price of liberty ...is personal responsibility.”

If you want to smoke, fine, but it will cost you more in terms of life insurance. Etc.

Quit whining; this is not “The Nanny state,” it is a free market solution.

[Eric Blair 2084]

if you smoke or are overwieght you pay more for life insurance... if you are a lousy driver you pay more for auto insurance... if you live near an ocean you pay more for home insurance... why shouldn’t obese people, smokers and those who have habits which can lead to health problems but ones WHICH THEY CAN CONTROL not pay more for health insurance???

You know what? I agree with you. There should be a free market. That is not what this law is about. I'll splain what I mean.

[Eric Blair 2084]

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[Eric Blair 2084]

If you want to smoke, fine, but it will cost you more in terms of life insurance. Etc. Quit whining; this is not “The Nanny state,” it is a free market solution.

I agree. Let's make a deal.

Abolish Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP. All insurance will be private (paid for with a standard Gubmint voucher). Companies can charge what they want in a free market based on anything. But in return ....

All coercive Gubmint measures....smoking bans, cigarette taxes, trans fat bans, menu labeling laws, fast food zoning laws are immediately repealed?

Deal?

[GOP_Lady]

Well, it’s about time! They SHOULD pay and pay and pay! </s> Who will be the next group? Maybe my sister should pay more because she has MS. When will we realize that we’re all in this together?

[patton]

“why shouldn’t obese people, smokers and those who have habits which can lead to health problems but ones WHICH THEY CAN CONTROL not pay more for health insurance???”

Like when I was a paratrooper in the Army?

Shoul I have paid more?

[GOP_Lady]

Another thought/example: Maybe my wonderful father should pay. After all, he had a quadruple bypass at age 74 due to clogged arteries. It was the very first time he was ever in a hospital, no other medical condition, no medical procedure or surgery ever, and had never been on any type of prescription in his life. Who’s going to pay the $20,000 for that surgery?

[Eric Blair 2084]

Only when some company decides to charge homosexuals more for insurance since they have a higher risk of AIDS. Then the libs will be on board to put a stop to this.

In reality, this kind of thing has been going on for years. It’s an unwritten and unspoken secret. Why do you think companies have been against hiring experienced older people who know what they are doing and instead hire new college graduates and younger people? 30 years of experience vs a kid who was doing keg stands 6 months ago? Health insurance.

Why do you think married women in their prime child bearing years earn less than their male counterparts who they could run circles around? Health insurance.

Ssssshhhhhh! Don’t say anything.

[GOP_Lady]

“Mum” is the word. :-) Hope all is well and you never need a quadruple bypass. ;-)

[4Liberty]

OK!