Ala. to Charge Obese State Workers

[Crabtownboy]

(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 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.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1835334,00.html

 

[billwald]

How is this different from charging bad drivers more for car insurance?

 

[Salty]

Could it be that being overweight is protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act

 

[donnA]

Could it be that being overweight is protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act

In that case it is discrimination and it is illegal. Now we judge people worthy on what they look like. I've known over weight people who were just as fit as any skinny person, and more so then a lot of those.

 

[Revmitchell]

How is this different from charging bad drivers more for car insurance?

Its not.....

 

[donnA]

bad driving is not a recognized physical disability.

 

[Revmitchell]

bad driving is not a recognized physical disability.

But it is a higher risk to those who pay out in claims. Therefore it si reasonable that the cost be higher regardless of the cause.

 

[abcgrad94]

Hey, if they can PROVE my bad health is caused by obesity, I'll glady pay my share. But to be consistent, they should charge extra to all the skinny folks who eat mostly junk food and cola instead of veggies and milk. And the skinny folks who eat all the cholesterol laden foods. . .and the ones who eat the salty stuff and get high blood pressure. . .and the ones who refuse to let their bodies get enough rest. . .and the ones who come to work sick and give their germs to everyone else. . .

Aw, shucks, let's just become one big socialist nanny state and get it over with!:BangHead:

 

[LeBuick]

Hey, if they can PROVE my bad health is caused by obesity, I'll glady pay my share. But to be consistent, they should charge extra to all the skinny folks who eat mostly junk food and cola instead of veggies and milk. And the skinny folks who eat all the cholesterol laden foods. . .and the ones who eat the salty stuff and get high blood pressure. . .and the ones who refuse to let their bodies get enough rest. . .and the ones who come to work sick and give their germs to everyone else. . .

Aw, shucks, let's just become one big socialist nanny state and get it over with!:BangHead:

AMEN brother, I think this is one step from charging more to people with diabetes, hypertension or even poor eyesight since they'll probably need glasses. How about people who exercise or play sports since they are more prone to sports injuries?

 

[Revmitchell]

Aw, shucks, let's just become one big socialist nanny state and get it over with!:BangHead:

?

 

[abcgrad94]

AMEN brother, I think this is one step from charging more to people with diabetes, hypertension or even poor eyesight since they'll probably need glasses. How about people who exercise or play sports since they are more prone to sports injuries?

That's sister, LeBuick. Hmm. Next it will be the forgetful ones. . .:tongue3:

 

[abcgrad94]

?

Why are you confused? That's what this is all leading up to, a nanny state. We have the speech police who scream "hate crime" if you say what they don't like to hear, now we have the "obesity police" wanting overweight people to pay more for healthcare based on their weight . . .it's a very slippery slope, my friend.

 

[LeBuick]

That's sister, LeBuick. Hmm. Next it will be the forgetful ones. . .:tongue3:

My apologies my Sister in Christ but I still think you deserve a hearty AMEN.

abc = Adam Begot Cain???

 

[abcgrad94]

My apologies my Sister in Christ but I still think you deserve a hearty AMEN.

abc = Adam Begot Cain???

Thanks.:smilewinkgrin:

 

[billwald]

None of you understand the history of insurance or insurance theory. One insures a future risk, not a liability in progress.

When "health insurance" was invented it was called "major medical" and only covered over night hospital stays - major stuff - and accidents. Pre-existing conditions, like houses on fire, were not covered by new insurance policies.

Group insurance was invented as a way around a wage/price freeze during WW2.

 

[tinytim]

Hey, if they can PROVE my bad health is caused by obesity, I'll glady pay my share. But to be consistent, they should charge extra to all the skinny folks who eat mostly junk food and cola instead of veggies and milk. And the skinny folks who eat all the cholesterol laden foods. . .and the ones who eat the salty stuff and get high blood pressure. . .and the ones who refuse to let their bodies get enough rest. . .and the ones who come to work sick and give their germs to everyone else. . .

Aw, shucks, let's just become one big socialist nanny state and get it over with!:BangHead:

Preach it sis~!!!

This nanny state is starting to stink!

You left out one...
Start charging for all the idiots that thinks this is a good idea!

 

[tinytim]

Why are you confused? That's what this is all leading up to, a nanny state. We have the speech police who scream "hate crime" if you say what they don't like to hear, now we have the "obesity police" wanting overweight people to pay more for healthcare based on their weight . . .it's a very slippery slope, my friend.

Hey, ABC, did you see on the news in your neck of the woods where a black guy put his car in reverse and ran over a white guy? after hitting him in the first place!

Where is the cry of "hate crime" in this instance?
When I was in your town last week, and I heard this story on the news, I couldn't beleive that Sharpton, or Jackson wasn't there defending this poor white guy... After all.. it was a hate crime...

But noooo... Justice isn't blind...

 

[LeBuick]

Hey, ABC, did you see on the news in your neck of the woods where a black guy put his car in reverse and ran over a white guy? after hitting him in the first place!

Where is the cry of "hate crime" in this instance?
When I was in your town last week, and I heard this story on the news, I couldn't beleive that Sharpton, or Jackson wasn't there defending this poor white guy... After all.. it was a hate crime...

But noooo... Justice isn't blind...

I wouldn't expect either of them to come unless the "poor white guy" damaged the vehicle while throwing himself repeatedly at it...

 

[abcgrad94]

Hey, ABC, did you see on the news in your neck of the woods where a black guy put his car in reverse and ran over a white guy? after hitting him in the first place!

Where is the cry of "hate crime" in this instance?
When I was in your town last week, and I heard this story on the news, I couldn't beleive that Sharpton, or Jackson wasn't there defending this poor white guy... After all.. it was a hate crime...

But noooo... Justice isn't blind...

I didn't hear anything about it. Surprise, surprise.

I left out another "risk" for insurance. How about the homosexuals? Aren't they at a higher risk for getting AIDS? I think I read that somewhere, but I don't know if it's still true. Guess that would be a "hate crime" to overcharge them for insurance.

 

[Salty]

How is this different from charging bad drivers more for car insurance?

Suppose that it was proven that Whites had more collisions than Blacks. Should the insurance companies be allowed to charge whites higher rates?
Before you answer, remember that males (esp single males) pay higher rates than females