The first state in the US to require obese state employees to pay for their own health insurance is Alabama.If any state employee has a BMI of 35 or greater and doesn't show progress towards weight loss, they will charge $25 per month. This will be assessed by the Alabama State Employees' insurance Board.
The plan was approved last week, reported the Los Angeles Times.According the proposal, employees have until January of 2010 to get in shape.Alabama already penalizes state workers for unhealthy habits - smokers must pay $24 per month for their health insurance. If they also are obese, their health insurance will go up to $49 a month."We are trying to get individuals to become more aware of their health," said an Insurance Board member.
At first glance, this proposal makes sense. Most people are aware that being obese is a health risk, their is high blood pressure, cholesterol, among others. This is actually a good incentive.
The oppositions to this hypothetical question are many. Mostly being expressed by the obese employees of Alabama themselves.
Well, the problem is every overweight and obese person is not necessarily unhealthy.A recent study found that about half of overweight Americans (BMI of 25 to 30) have normal blood pressure and normal cholesterol levels. Of those who are obese, having a BMI more than 30, almost one-third have normal blood pressure and cholesterol counts, wrote the LA Times article."[The new plan is] terrible. Some people come into this world big," pointed out an Alabama state employee. It seems like an interesting debate to come.
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