Alabama: Get in shape or pay more!

[NoStateofMind]

Seems as though the State of Alabama is not playing around when it comes to health care for its State employees.

Alabama To Charge Obese State Employees More For Insurance

birmingham, al - MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - 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.

I think Alabama will be the first of many states to enact this measure. I personally think this is outrageous and intrusive. Paying for health insurance I understand but charging more because someone is obese is going to far IMO.

As an obese person myself I know how hard it is to lose weight but it can be done. I just don't think government fining me (or anyone else) is the way to go about it. Thoughts?

 

[Brainonska511]

Well, you can look at it like car insurance - just like people who have many speeding tickets on their record are more likely to get into an accident, an obese person who does nothing to try and stay somewhat healthy (at least relative to other obese individuals) is at a higher risk than a non-obese individual for having to take expensive blood pressure medications, etc.

From what it looks like, as long as the obese person is trying to do something positive for their health (ie: seeing a doctor, trying to control their weight in some way or at least reducing the risk of developing obesity related problems) won't have to pay that extra $25/month.

 

[racolvin]

As a resident of Alabama (but not a state employee) who could also stand to lose a few pounds himself, I don't mind this at all. It's not much different than charging more for family coverage than for single coverage - you charge more for folks who are more likely to use the system more. In this case obese people are statistically more like to have health issues (and subsequent costs) related to their condition.

And if they can afford all that food that contributes to making them obese, perhaps diverting $25/month from their burger-and-fries budget will help them as well as help the states insurance costs. Frankly I'd like to see them do the same for smokers ...

 

[NoStateofMind]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
Well, you can look at it like car insurance - just like people who have many speeding tickets on their record are more likely to get into an accident, an obese person who does nothing to try and stay somewhat healthy (at least relative to other obese individuals) is at a higher risk than a non-obese individual for having to take expensive blood pressure medications, etc.

From what it looks like, as long as the obese person is trying to do something positive for their health (ie: seeing a doctor, trying to control their weight in some way or at least reducing the risk of developing obesity related problems) won't have to pay that extra $25/month.

My problem is not with the health insurance as much as it is the state enforcing it.

Originally posted by: racolvin
And if they can afford all that food that contributes to making them obese, perhaps diverting $25/month from their burger-and-fries budget will help them as well as help the states insurance costs. Frankly I'd like to see them do the same for smokers ...

Umm have you looked food prices lately? I'm not trying to be a smart ass. I know from experience. Eating fast food IS cheaper than eating healthy. Having lost 50+lbs in about 5 months, I have probably spent twice as much money on food. Its worth it in the long run but sure hits the pocket hard.

If an insurance company wants to charge more for obese people, I have no problem with that, there are many other insurance companies that would cover you without it (for the time being). Once the State steps in and says "You have to get in shape or pay more" then I have a problem.

 

[Robor]

I know of employers who charge smokers a premium over non-smokers because they are higher risk. People who are overweight, especially to the point of obesity, are high risk for all sorts of health problems so they are likely to cost the insurance company more than someone who is within 'normal' weight. This is a touchy issue because of the slippery slope.

FWIW, this is the way it is if you are trying to get personal health/life insurance. I found this out for myself when I worked for an employer that didn't provide benefits. My family has a history of hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Oh, and cancer. I'm doomed. I went uninsured until I found another employer.

 

[Brainonska511]

I don't find healthy foods to be more expensive than junk food. In fact, I eat healthier when I'm away at school and buying my own groceries compared to at home. I just don't buy cookies because for the price of a bag of cookies, I can buy a nice bag of grapes.

 

[Strk]

Why shouldn't it cost more? It's unhealthy and it costs the state more to insure the person. And fast food isn't cheaper. You just need to become a better shopper (I.e. boneless chicken breast is on sale up here for $1.99; that sounds like it's time to buy several pounds of it)

 

[ayabe]

Well I was hoping to have a zinger in here about pork rinds, but it appears that poor Alabama doesn't have any official state foods.

Text

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: PC Surgeon
Umm have you looked food prices lately? I'm not trying to be a smart ass. I know from experience. Eating fast food IS cheaper than eating healthy. Having lost 50+lbs in about 5 months, I have probably spent twice as much money on food. Its worth it in the long run but sure hits the pocket hard.

That is SOOOO true. Be it the grocery, fast food, or restaurant. Healthier options cost more. It should be the other way around.

 

[Balt]

I don't have a problem with it. Smokers and obese people put a greater strain on the system through actions they are taking voluntarily.

I also disagree that it is cheaper to eat fast food than to eat healthy. Maybe it's more expensive to eat a healthy gourmet meal, but things like canned tuna, vegetables, and salad ingredients are not expensive at all. Pasta + sauce is also less expensive than fast food and you can get more than one meal out of it.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
I don't find healthy foods to be more expensive than junk food. In fact, I eat healthier when I'm away at school and buying my own groceries compared to at home. I just don't buy cookies because for the price of a bag of cookies, I can buy a nice bag of grapes.

I think he means making a meal versus cheap pre-made fast food. Here's an example... McD's has 2 for $2 sausage/egg/cheese mcmuffins. It's hard to find a quick, cheap, and healthy breakfast that's < $1. Even a bowl of healthy cereal is probably $1 or more and it's not quick/convenient. A banana maybe? I can't remember what they cost but they're easy to eat on the way to work.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
I don't find healthy foods to be more expensive than junk food. In fact, I eat healthier when I'm away at school and buying my own groceries compared to at home. I just don't buy cookies because for the price of a bag of cookies, I can buy a nice bag of grapes.

I think he means making a meal versus cheap pre-made fast food. Here's an example... McD's has 2 for $2 sausage/egg/cheese mcmuffins. It's hard to find a quick, cheap, and healthy breakfast that's < $1. Even a bowl of healthy cereal is probably $1 or more and it's not quick/convenient. A banana maybe? I can't remember what they cost but they're easy to eat on the way to work.

Well, then spend the time making some food. It doesn't take that long. 10 minutes at most to make a sandwich for the lunch and throw in a healthy snack to eat with it. A few minutes in the morning to make an english muffin or some oatmeal, etc. Cereal is one of the last things you would want to eat on a limited budget. It's one of the most expensive things you can buy in the grocery store.

A banana costs about $.14-$.30.

 

[racolvin]

Originally posted by: PC Surgeon

If an insurance company wants to charge more for obese people, I have no problem with that, there are many other insurance companies that would cover you without it (for the time being). Once the State steps in and says "You have to get in shape or pay more" then I have a problem.

Well if the state were mandating it for all residents I would agree with you. In this case the state is nothing more than a company that offers benefits to its workers and that's who they're putting this rule on. State employees are the only ones affected by the new rule/charge, so it doesn't bother me.

For that matter if my own company did it I wouldn't have an issue with it because I understand the economics of it. I don't have to like it but I understand it.

 

[Atreus21]

Originally posted by: PC Surgeon
Seems as though the State of Alabama is not playing around when it comes to health care for its State employees.

Alabama To Charge Obese State Employees More For Insurance

birmingham, al - MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - 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.

I think Alabama will be the first of many states to enact this measure. I personally think this is outrageous and intrusive. Paying for health insurance I understand but charging more because someone is obese is going to far IMO.

As an obese person myself I know how hard it is to lose weight but it can be done. I just don't think government fining me (or anyone else) is the way to go about it. Thoughts?

I agree wholeheartedly with you.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: PC Surgeon
Umm have you looked food prices lately? I'm not trying to be a smart ass. I know from experience. Eating fast food IS cheaper than eating healthy. Having lost 50+lbs in about 5 months, I have probably spent twice as much money on food. Its worth it in the long run but sure hits the pocket hard.

That is SOOOO true. Be it the grocery, fast food, or restaurant. Healthier options cost more. It should be the other way around.

I disagree, strongly. I can eat for a week on $25-$30 worth of food. You just have to be willing to make larger "batch" meals like spaghetti sauce (make your own, not the crap from a bottle) and chicken soup. Even though it's a "meat and potatoes" diet, it's still healthier than eating out.

I cannot eat for less than $9/day on fast food. That's around $60/week.

The problem is that most people don't want to have to prepare their own food, so they buy stuff that's been prepared already, which drives up the price.

ZV

 

[racolvin]

How is it "illegal discrimination"? All the state is doing is mandating that people who are are greater health risks pay a little more for their premium. It's no different than getting a better rate on your life insurance for being in better shape and that's not illegal.

 

[StageLeft]

As an obese person myself I know how hard it is to lose weight but it can be done. I just don't think government fining me (or anyone else) is the way to go about it.

Well, that's too bad that it's hard. I agree it is, but if you are costing more for health insurance on average, somebody has to pay for it. Why should it be a non-obese person?

Eating fast food IS cheaper than eating healthy.

I cannot agree on that. I know a lot of chubby people who eat out and eat fast food. They eat out each day. I spend $52/month (which is a lot, actually) on a gym membership and workout at lunch instead. My lunch, every day, is fruit and a sandwich and protein powder. That's about as cheap as it gets. You don't need shrink and perfectly fresh vegetables to eat well and even if you eat badly you can still watch calories.

 

[Balt]

Originally posted by: Atreus21

Originally posted by: PC Surgeon
Seems as though the State of Alabama is not playing around when it comes to health care for its State employees.

Alabama To Charge Obese State Employees More For Insurance

birmingham, al - MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - 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.

I think Alabama will be the first of many states to enact this measure. I personally think this is outrageous and intrusive. Paying for health insurance I understand but charging more because someone is obese is going to far IMO.

As an obese person myself I know how hard it is to lose weight but it can be done. I just don't think government fining me (or anyone else) is the way to go about it. Thoughts?

I agree wholeheartedly with you.

How exactly is this not illegal discrimination? I thought the state wasn't supposed to tell people what to do with their bodies.

Because body weight is not a factor out of most people's control. Most people can choose to live at a healthy weight or they can choose not to.

 

[Nebor]

Just the insurance company (in this case the state) correcting an information asymmetry so that they can charge the actuarial fair price.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511

Originally posted by: Robor
I think he means making a meal versus cheap pre-made fast food. Here's an example... McD's has 2 for $2 sausage/egg/cheese mcmuffins. It's hard to find a quick, cheap, and healthy breakfast that's < $1. Even a bowl of healthy cereal is probably $1 or more and it's not quick/convenient. A banana maybe? I can't remember what they cost but they're easy to eat on the way to work.

Well, then spend the time making some food. It doesn't take that long. 10 minutes at most to make a sandwich for the lunch and throw in a healthy snack to eat with it. A few minutes in the morning to make an english muffin or some oatmeal, etc. Cereal is one of the last things you would want to eat on a limited budget. It's one of the most expensive things you can buy in the grocery store.

A banana costs about $.14-$.30.

Healthier? Yes. Price? I disagree. For lunch a couple of items from a fast food value menu are cheaper than a healthy sandwich/snack. IMO fast food versus healthy food I think the fast food would win (cost wise). Again, just my opinion. Don't want to derail the thread anymore.

 

[theeedude]

I think these rules are too lax. All they gotta do is see a doctor to not pay extra?

 

[fleshconsumed]

Originally posted by: Strk
Why shouldn't it cost more? It's unhealthy and it costs the state more to insure the person. And fast food isn't cheaper. You just need to become a better shopper (I.e. boneless chicken breast is on sale up here for $1.99; that sounds like it's time to buy several pounds of it)

Better shopping helps, but you can't argue that healthy food is just as cheap because it just simply isn't true. A 2 liter bottle of soda ranges from 0.99 to 1.69, 2 liter Tropicana Orange Juice (not from concentrate or so they claim) is 2.69 and up. Simply Orange is even more expensive. Regular doublecheese is under $3-4 in most fast food joints, a pound of deli meat on the other hand in most places will cost you at least $6. I shop at one of the smaller and lesser known stores which often has cheap deli meat down to $3.50 a pound on sale, but that's on sale, and not everybody knows about or has such place near them. Yet, almost any large store has frozen food on sale at $2-3 a piece, or chips, or candy. I could buy bread from aldi at $0.69 (at least that's what it was last time I checked couple of years ago), yet I have to pay at least $3.79-3.99 for a medium sized loaf of good natural bread not filled with a bunch of preservatives to last two weeks. Eating healthy is expensive.

 

[Thump553]

PC Surgeon: It's not the insurance company that's charging more-it's the employer (who pays the insurance bill) who is passing on a tiny, tiny portion of the increased cost to it caused by the "lifestyle" chosen by these couch potatoes.

The state should have passed through the real actual increased cost caused, not the token $25.

How about a little individual responsibility?

<--Pays 100% of the cost of his own family's health insurance, and it is a heck of a lot more than $25.

 

[Balt]

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: Brainonska511

Originally posted by: Robor
I think he means making a meal versus cheap pre-made fast food. Here's an example... McD's has 2 for $2 sausage/egg/cheese mcmuffins. It's hard to find a quick, cheap, and healthy breakfast that's < $1. Even a bowl of healthy cereal is probably $1 or more and it's not quick/convenient. A banana maybe? I can't remember what they cost but they're easy to eat on the way to work.

Well, then spend the time making some food. It doesn't take that long. 10 minutes at most to make a sandwich for the lunch and throw in a healthy snack to eat with it. A few minutes in the morning to make an english muffin or some oatmeal, etc. Cereal is one of the last things you would want to eat on a limited budget. It's one of the most expensive things you can buy in the grocery store.

A banana costs about $.14-$.30.

Healthier? Yes. Price? I disagree. For lunch a couple of items from a fast food value menu are cheaper than a healthy sandwich/snack. IMO fast food versus healthy food I think the fast food would win (cost wise). Again, just my opinion. Don't want to derail the thread anymore.

Even if you are unwilling to admit that it is cheaper to prepare your own food (which I believe it is), I don't believe you can deny that their are cheap, healthy options available. If a turkey sandwich (or two) and a banana for lunch are going to bankrupt you I don't know how you can afford fast food either.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: Brainonska511

Originally posted by: Robor
I think he means making a meal versus cheap pre-made fast food. Here's an example... McD's has 2 for $2 sausage/egg/cheese mcmuffins. It's hard to find a quick, cheap, and healthy breakfast that's < $1. Even a bowl of healthy cereal is probably $1 or more and it's not quick/convenient. A banana maybe? I can't remember what they cost but they're easy to eat on the way to work.

Well, then spend the time making some food. It doesn't take that long. 10 minutes at most to make a sandwich for the lunch and throw in a healthy snack to eat with it. A few minutes in the morning to make an english muffin or some oatmeal, etc. Cereal is one of the last things you would want to eat on a limited budget. It's one of the most expensive things you can buy in the grocery store.

A banana costs about $.14-$.30.

Healthier? Yes. Price? I disagree. For lunch a couple of items from a fast food value menu are cheaper than a healthy sandwich/snack. IMO fast food versus healthy food I think the fast food would win (cost wise). Again, just my opinion. Don't want to derail the thread anymore.

I hate derailing, but I feel I have to counter this: a jar of peanut butter and a jar of jelly are about $5. A loaf of bread is $2.50 (20 slices). So that's $7.50 and you can make at lest 10 days worth of sandwichs. A bag of grapes (on sale) can cost about $3-$4 and that can last about a week. So for about $10, you can have a week's worth of lunch and it will be good for you.