15 replies to this topic

[Céline's Blues]

Alabama Slaps a Tax on Fat People

  


Should you pay more if you weigh more? That's what Alabama's State Employees' Insurance Board thinks. In 2011 the board will start charging overweight state workers—those with a body mass index greater than 35—$25 a month for health insurance, which is currently free for all state employees.

(The state is giving workers a two-year head start; if they sign up for free health screenings and make progress, they won't face the insurance fine.)

Being the second fattest state in the country—behind Mississippi—costs Alabamians lots of money—up to $1.32 billion a year in estimated medical charges, according to a 2004 study.

But is a pay-as-you-grow tax fair to the obese? Well, Alabama, like some private employers, already charges an extra fee to state workers who smoke. Private health insurance companies, of course, base their rates—and coverage refusal—on complex data related to the buyer's health. Some private employers, who often encourage workers to lose weight with onsite diet and exercise programs, are considering more aggressive measures: Next January, one company in Indiana will begin charging employees up to $30 a month for missing health targets based on smoking, weight, blood sugar, and blood pressure.

At the government level, however, most health levies have been consumer taxes—on cigarettes and booze, for example—and few people, beyond the conservative-leaning Tax Foundation, have argued that taxing fat people simply for being fat is a good idea.

At first glance, the Alabama initiative rang warning bells in my head: Government using a blunt instrument to attack a very complicated problem. (And I say that despite the fact that I pay Alabama taxes, which contribute to the health-care costs of state employees.) But now I'm not so sure it's a bad idea. Being both Southern and fat, I could use an incentive to lose my extra weight. And if I could, so could they. Maybe this kind of program would begin to reverse the tide of obesity in the Deep South. Or maybe a whole bunch of initiatives need trying to find out what will work.

For many people, $300 isn't a lot of money. But if the fear of diabetes, heart disease, and death isn't enough to motivate people to lose weight, fees and taxes tend to get everyone's attention.




http://pokedandprodd...-on-fat-people/

Edited by Céline's Blues, 27 August 2008 - 04:40 AM.

[Davey84]

[Nikosn17]

duh  

[Angel, You thrill me]

      

[Soloni]

OMD

[VinnyT.]

    OMG

[Krys]

they should charge more!

[Jacqui]

In a way that's funny, but it's also kind of wrong! I dunno...I think health issues are very personal, they're not anybody's business but the individual and their doctor. I know it's probably a naive thing to say, but can't they just make it the same for everyone?

[CelineAndRene]

lm AO!

[ThisTime]

I am dying of laughter right now

[A New Day Has Come]

OMD that is insane it's none of there business.

But at the same time that is friken hillirous OMD.              

[dj4celine]

OMFD!!! I had to read twice to see why Mariah's name was mentioned but couldn't find any, then I realized what Seb meant

[Prince Whiskers]

Be quiet, Seb, you don't wanna aggravate the lambs who are still licking their wounds caused by the album flop.

[Cambroneroj]

That's the best thing any state could do.For example,Texas has been the fatest states for years and years, houston is the fatest city in the whole USA for now years and years and they do nothing about it. There's no excuse why one can get up and do some workout 3 times a week. Some people do have problems keeping weight off  (understood) but most people will be able to loose those extra pounds.

I think they should award people who are fit and charge them less for health insurance and smokers should pay double for health services.  YES DOUBLE!!!!!
America is such a fat country it's ridiculous; when growing up in my town there was only ONE fat guy and everyone knew him cause he was the ONLY  fat there, well he had problems but when i moved here i couldnt believe the number of overweight kids and adults OMG is soo bad, schools are full of fat kids who eat junk food daily, parents do not care to keep a diet on these kids ,the harm they do to this kids life is for many years to come. This may sound rude but its about people's health and this country should do something about it.
Start charging all the overweight people and you'll see how in a matter of months they will loose those extra kilos, just watch.

Edited by Cambroneroj, 29 August 2008 - 06:45 AM.

[triniguy]

HAHAHHAHAHHAA

[hazard211]

Yeah its pretty bad, here in San Antonio the news said we made number 3 on the list and that was pretty sad. Nobody pushes it the only answers are lets decrease the portions at school but most dont even eat at school. Theres no reason for people to stay in some kind of shape until its to late. I also think that people will just say whatever i dont want the insurance then if its going to cost me more which is also sad.