Alabama state workers who are obese have one year to slim down—or they'll have to start paying for health insurance. Beginning in 2010, Alabama, the second-heaviest state in the U.S., will start charging $25 a month if its 37,000 employees don't submit to free health screenings. (Smokers are already charged $24 a month, and that will increase to $25.) Alabama will be the first state to charge workers for being overweight. The health insurance is ordinarily free. According to the Associated Press: "If the screenings turn up serious problems with blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose or obesity, employees will have a year to see a doctor at no cost, enroll in a wellness program, or take steps on their own to improve their health. If they show progress in a follow-up screening, they won’t be charged. But if they don’t, they must pay starting in January 2011." Some other facts to ponder: There 45.7 million people in the country are without health insurance. Obesity rates are up in 37 states, and at least 20% percent of adults are obese in every state except Colorado. Should obese employees be penalized financially? Is Alabama acting a bit too much like Big Brother? |
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