Alabama Trimming The Fat
Filed under: Wacky, Tacky & True
If you're overweight in Alabama, you better start getting in shape or the government is going to start charging you fees!
That's the case for their over 37,500 state employees. The state government is giving all of their employees one year to start getting fit.
If not, they're going to be charged $25 a month, basically to pay for insurance which is otherwise free.
It's similar to the legislation they already have where they charge employees that smoke a fee of $24 a month. Though that resulted in some success in getting people to quit smoking.
But it's going to suck if Alabama thinks you're too fat and smoke too much. Double the fees!
This will be the first state ever to charge overweight state workers who don't try and slim down.
Why can't Alabama be proactive like other states and just reward those employees that "adopt healthy behaviors"?
Alabama is the currently the second most obese state in the country. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30.3% are now obese. But is this the right way to go about things?
Just this week, the State Employees' Insurance Board approved a plan to charge state workers if they don't have free health screenings starting in January 2010.
And if those screenings show that there are any serious problems with obesity, cholesterol, blood pressure and the sort, employees will have one year to see a free doctor and enroll in a wellness program.
If not they can take their own measures to improve their health. But if they don't show any progress in a follow-up screening, they'll have to start paying the fee starting the following year.
Anyone found with a body mass index of 35% or hight, or who is not making progress, will be considered obese and be required to pay up. A BMI of 30% is what's considered "the threshold for obesity."
Robert Wagstaff, a state employee that serves on the insurance board, says" We are trying to get individuals to become more aware of their health."
Many employees are not too thrilled with the decision.
Duh!
College professor and founder of a body acceptance workshop, E-K. Daufin, says "I'm big and beautiful and doing my best to keep my stress levels down so I can stay healthy. That's big, not lazy, not a glutton and certainly not deserving of the pompous, poisonous disrespect served up daily to those of us with more bounce to the ounce."
What do U think?
[Image via WENN.]
Re: Sammy – And what are the other reasons?
I don't blame them. Fat people cost taxpayers and the state billions of dollars in healthcare. And I don't care what people say, that whole "well my family's fat, so I'm fat and blah blah blah" GENETICS IS NOT A COP OUT TO BE A FATASS. True, your genetics DO affect your body type and weight, BUT it's not even half the equation, if you exercise 5 days a week, eat low cal and healthy foods, watch your weight….you won't be fat. You can't get fat if you don't eat it. The ONLY exception to this is people with thyroid problems, but they make up less then 2% of fat people. I agree with the gov shouldn't make so many policys that affect our personal lives, but when the fat people are costing americans BILLIONS in healthcare, there has to be some stop to it and a fine of 25 a month to put the snicker bar down and step away might just be a good thing.
Re: tiggico – they don't eat or get diseases?!?!
That's fucking crazy!
Personally, I 100% agree with this law. I mean, if you like the fact that you're obese, you CAN stay that way, just pay your fee, or change jobs and pay a normal (much higher) insurance, or if you really can't stand either options, just fucking move. Honestly, I don't think anything about the law is unjustified, and come on, they're giving you FREE doctors and fucking wellness programs for a YEAR to help you, and if you show progress (not by necessarily being in a normal weight range, just better than before), it's STILL FREE!
If anything, they're LUCKY.
SO WRONG!! And Perez, I don't think the Kirstie Alley pic is funny either…Leave the poor girl alone!!!!!!!!
This might sound REALLY wrong, but healthy eating as a LOT more expensive than eating at a fast food place or junk food. If you had to feed a family of four, what is cheaper? A bucket of friend chicken, or fresh chicken from Whole Foods aka Whole Paycheck?? you do the math.
Re: &ELIZABETH – With all due respect, how can you posibly consider thinking that these people like being obese? Do you not know all the consecuences, both physical and emotional, that obesity has? So taxpayers pay for them, so what? They are taxpayers as well, and obese people are not the only thing taxes cover, are you going to complain and invent a fee for everything and everyone that costs you tax fees? What they fuck are taxes for then, if you're going to charge the people/institutions?
This makes no fucking sense. I'm all the way in Argentina and I'm not overweight, so this in no way affects my life, but I just don't understand how you americans, you as a SOCIETY can possibly think this is the right thing to do.
You all know the U.S. does EVERYTHING to get people fat, I mean, that's the real business, right? We get you sick, and then we make money by treating you. It's the "fast food nation", how do you expect your people NOT to be fat when you don't offer anything healthier? And now you also CHARGE them for something YOU are doing to them? Instead of making the fat people pay, charge McDonalds and fucking Jack In The Box for being in business and helping the spread of this disease.
What fucking bullshit. Then they better charge every smoker, every stinko who doesn't take a morning shower, every 4 eyed freak who wears glasses, every.. I could go on. As I said, it's bullshit.
This is so damn ridiculous. It is not the goverments business or damn right to tell people how much to eat or weigh as much as they chose to. Same goes for the smoking. I believe in getting healthy, but they don't understand that some people weren't meant to be "skinny." thyriod, genetics, someone who is handicapped and can't move as much, depression issues, medication, etc. can factor in a person's weight and sometimes there is nothing a person can do. I have heard of people who hardly eat much as it is, but can't lose a pound, so they should be punished? F'n ridiculous.
I can see some major eating disorders and a big riot waiting to happen….
I agree with the person who said that you don't see the goverment paying for gym member fees and our weekly groceries where healthier fare is often more expensive yet they make the junk food more cheap. In a world where jobs are being cut, prices are out of this world, etc. What do they expect?! Work on these issues first and maybe it would be easier for most people to live a "healthier" life style.
Why not?
This is FANTASTIC.. I know of a company who has introduced "wellbeing reward programs" and a girl won it.. then went straight back into eating shit food. This is forcing fatties to get off their arse and so something about it. And it's not the Government telling what ppl to do in their personal life, its government employees.. so if you want the benefits of working for the government.. you better 'fit' the criteria. Bring this to Australia please!!
Hmm, I think that's good. I mean, it's bad that the government has to resort to force people to loose weight by giving them extra fees, but people should already be in ahealthy mindset.
They do a similar thing like that in Italy. Or at least a town I've heard in Italy. The mayor PAYS overweight people to loose weight. I think that's better motivation haha.
i know, i know…none of us like being told what to do (me, especially!). still, we are a country of excesses and that needs to stop. we overeat, overspend, overpollute, and none of it is healthy. we need to simplify and get back to the basics. if that means the state of alabama forcing people to reform their health habits, then so be it! they're giving help for f-r-e-e…the worst thing that can happen is these people lose weight and have a better quality of life. otherwise, they start paying for their own health insurance premiums and keep on hossing-down.
Re: Kristee – i don't see anything wrong with that photo? she looks lovely…how is perez picking on her? i don't even remember him drawing the usually "cock" anywhere on the photo either.
I love it. I am currently living in Alabama (but not from here), and I think it's great they are starting to shape up some of these idiots. Alabama has some great things to offer, but some of the people here need major help to fit in with the rest of the world. I think regulating smoking and weight for employees should be a stipulation for most jobs. Afterall, the company is investing in you by giving you a paycheck, and they are just protecting their investment, their coworkers, and their friends by helping promote a longer, helathier life. I wish every company had a program such as this… of even a stricter version!! People who smoke have absolutely no excuse for the disgusting habit, but overweight people should not be punished for the genetics… maybe something should be altered for people who cannot cure their obesity through surgery, dieting, and exercise.
Some of you fucking idiots think people WANT to be fat? How stupid are you? No one WANTS to be fat.
Re: Daydreamer – if skinny people had as many health problems as fat people do then i guess i would be ok with being charged extra. but since they don't then i guess i don't have to worry huh?? thanks for asking tho
…………I think people r too damn eazy 2/let………..
……………govt./work place run y'r life…………..
……. we uzed 2/have rightz..but U people…….
..don't seem 2/care if they take them all away….
..they have no buzinezz if we smoke or do drugz either…
……………………….ITZ COMMUNIZM…………………….
WAKE UP U STUPID DRUGGED UP AMERICA…B/4 ITZ 2/LATE…
I think this is a good idea. If people are receiving free healthcare but not taking care of themselves, healthy people are paying their bills. I think it's great for people to be happy with themselves, whatever their size, but if they're overweight it's hard on their body, and that's going to incur higher healthcare costs. It's only far that they should pay them - the person reaping the benefit should always pay the dues.
Also, you a BMI isn't a percentage.
Re: SilentRedRose – There won't be a riot though. That's why this works. Because as long as they have people who for whatever reason feel bad about themselves then they will hesitate to voice their opinion. They will not want to stand up and be noticed because inside they feel they aren't deserving of equal treatment because of fucktards like the ones on this message board. What if Rosa Parks had been afraid to speak up and just went to the back of the bus. Would states be charging people for being black? Back then black folks wasn't looked at as equal either. But she had the strength and alot of people like her had the strength to change things. And that's what overweight people are going to have to do. It seems they are the only ones who its ok to make fun of anymore because for some reason they are looked at as less than human and I don't think it's right.
That's totally ridicolous!!! Why would you pay extra because you have a condition??? There are many reasons to be fat either for psychological issues or just because you are a heavy eater but noone should judge you for that or is Alabama ready to transition from being the 2nd state with most obesity cases to be the 1st state with most anorexics and bullimics in the states???
Idiots!
I am not fat, and my ex family ex step sister in law that weights @ 400lbs NO joke in a small west TX town and my EX step brother weight about the same should be taxed for there weight. They love to gossip. About everyone because of their inscurity of thieir DISCUSTING FAT ASS'. They have Type 2 Diabetes due to FAT, They control what goes in their mouths, and they are making their children follow right in their foot steps. They will look just like them It is WHAT THEY EAT. The EX STEP BROTHER and EX SISTER IN LAW are EX due to my Mother's passing, but they have been fat for years, over a decade and half now. They need to tax Texas like they are taxing Alabama maybe thay would help them and the rest of the fat ass' there. Less our cost on medical because Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure is due to being OBESE. Neither one of them have an medical excuse to be FAT, they just have a " HAND TO MOUTH DISEASE" the " SEA FOOD DIET" THEY " SEE FOOD AND EAT IT ALL" They discust me!!! They give a lot of people a lot of laughs when they turn and walk away. They are us-to- be's. They us-to-be- thinner. Neither one of them are over 45 sad sad situation, TAX THEM.. TAX THEM. I am blessed that I am not a over weight person, I do not have their GENE'S. There is a GOD. I do not believe that it is something that "RUNS IN the FAMILY" it is what you EAT!!! GET control of the FORK THAT GOES IN YOUR MOUTH!!!! TAx TAX TAX THE FAT!!!!!! I totally agree…
Re: ChrisInKy – Thank you!
But, I only comment because I liked what you had to say in your Original post. 
This is WRONG WRONG WRONG. I hope someone sues these idiots.
I think this is the best thing i have heard in a while. Why should any one have to pay medical expeses when someone chooses to be fat or smoke. Maybe the money these fatties will spend on the insurance will be taken away from their food budget.
I THINK PEOPLE CAN LOOK HOW EVER THEY WANT.NO… ONE…IS PERFECT
i think its good that their trying to help people get in shape but i don't think its write to fine them for being fat - but the smoking part i totally agree on!
Re: lonelybi-polar – what kind of screen name is this? I have read it all NOW? WAJ Screaming for ATTENTION?
No, don't let people be as they want to be,or this world would be out of control. We need control. This is why our healthy system is out of control paying for unessary expenses for people that cannot control what they are eating and for what they are teaching their children. This is not a mental illness. Biploar is. It has be proven. My ex husband was diagnoised in 1993, he is and EX because he would NOT take his medication, but he did not advertise it, as his screen name, Nothing to be ashamed of. There is medication to take care of it, and it is nothing you can help, but being OBESE is. You can control the FORK that goes to YOUR MOUTH
i don't think the gov't should be saving me from myself; that said, my health insurance seems to cover less and less these days, which can largely be attributed to the expense of covering such an unhealthy society. i keep myself fit and am bearing the burden of covering other ppl who don't. i kind of agree that there should be a 'premium' for bad health that is under one's control. screw this bs that 'i'm fat because of my genetics'. yeah right. how come obesity is only an affliction of the modern age then? riddle me that!
I think its stupid. Very stereotypical. I am overweight and I go to the doctors MAYBE 3 times a year. I use less health insurance then all of the thin people I know.
Re: KrisLiz – Thank goodness! I couldn't agree more!!
typical f**king government! Make money off us from the extreme tax of food and tobacco THEN when it looks bad on them the blame and price is on us civilians..totally agree chrisinky stop taking away our human rights and take some responsibility for your mistakes
I think this is great. If people won't take care of themselves somebody has to force them to do so. And by making them pay for it seems like a fine way to accomplish that. If not, OTHERS will have to pay for their unhealthy lifestyle through insurance costs.
I love how they're blaming the people and not the crazy chemicals (that no one can pronounce and the body can barely break down) they put in our food.
Nice solution Alabama!
Re: DaLuzy – I'm not saying that people LIKE being obese. Definitely not, I'm not ignorant, despite the vibe that may have come off of my last comment. However, you have got to realize that these workers get FREE insurance. That normal workers pay taxes FOR THEM, on top of paying their OWN insurance. And here they're given free doctors and wellness programs to help them get into better shape, to help change their lifestyles. So if they suffer so much from being obese, they can definitely benefit from this law and program. I, in no way, have anything against fat people and I do believe you should be able to accept yourself at any size, but being obese can lead to very serious health complications, which Americans don't seem to be taking too seriously.
oh & for the people who keep on talking about how it's not their fault. Yes, thyroid problems, diabetes & some medication are valid excuses to be unable to shed off pounds. However, I personally believe genetics are NOT. You can be predisposed to be heavier, yes, and be a slightly different size, but I don't believe anyone has a gene that automatically makes them OBESE. Come on. It has to do with lifestyle, and if everyone in the same family is obese, it's because they share that same lifestyle, they eat & exercise in similar manners.
I think it's a great idea. USA is a country of overweight people and the number of overweight people is increasing every day. What's really tragic is that most of the middle class families don't even KNOW how to eat healthy. They eat burritos, pizzas, hamburgers and other stuff on the daily basis - because they are too lazy to cook something on their own. You CAN eat healthy and cheap - it's all a matter of eating culture, nothing else.
What's next? Charging people for being too tall?
If it comes to this everyone will be sorry! WTF is this? What's next? If you have high cholesteraol, tendancy toward heart disease charge you more? Cancer charge you more? CF charge you more? MS charge you more, Anything the fuck wrong with you that you might need insurance charge you more???? Jeezus people dont let them get away with that or we all will be screwed…. none of us will be young forever!!!!!
This is a sticky situation.
While I generally do not agree with the government actively restricting the personal choices of it's citizens, every so often an issue like this arises that challenges this notion. I commend the government for taking an action like this. While they had to intervene to regulate booze, cigarettes, and other harmful substances, I believe that obesity is along these type of "common sense" lines. I am a nurse, and I cannot count how many young obese people I have seen die because they could not survive a simple elective surgery. Or, how much money has been wasted on giving them knee and hip replacements because they are too big to support their joints, only to find them get bigger and need new ones all over again. I mean, this is a real crises, and the government needs to do something. And, if this is the incentive that they need to reduce their weight, then so be it.
Bottom Line is-
Being obese will make you a burden on society. With all of the chronic health conditions it causes that slowly take away your independence and quality of life, you will get to the point that you will no longer be able to take care of yourself. This is the point where your personal choices become a larger problem within the community, and collectively, we all "foot the bill". So, if the government has to initiate policies that serve to alleviate the burden on all of us, I am all for it.
Another thing ( I work at a trauma center also ), as you get older you will tend to gain weight get diadetes etc. Should we charge the older people already suffering high cost of medical care more because of their age!!! Dont be ignorant people I'm telling you, you will be old soon enough…..
d
While I don't agree at all with the govt saying what we can and can't do, I agree with their tactics.
It's about time everyone jumped off the bandwagon of "Smoking is bad!". We know it's bad. But so is being a fat ass.
So then, diabetics and other people afflicted with chronic diseases have to pay $25 regardless? Does that mean people who suffer from anorexia pay a little more a month because the damage they do to their bodies is something else. And if an employee catches the flu and is off for a couple of days, how much to they pay? What about women? Should they pay the money when pregnant?
Utterly rediculous… the government wants to control weight (and how many fat cats are sitting on the board?) but they won't take cigarettes or other dangerous tools off the market? SMH
Aging is part of a natural process, it is part of life. Aging your cardiovascular system prematurely because of fast food is not a natural process. Nor is aging it due to smoking, drinking, cocaine, etc. We do not force people to acknowledge responsibility for what they do, and it is about time that we do. I was offered a job in ICU. I went up there and looked around. 90% of the patients were obese, I turned it down. Why should I waste my joints, expertise, and career on this? However, I have worked with the elderly, etc. In fact, I even volunteer with addicts in a treatment centre because I believe that they have a better prognosis. Food is the new crack…. and we need to stop enabling as a society.
What this boils down to is that a persons workplace should not be able to controll or put restrictions on what workers do with their free time. How many alcohol related accidents that require medical treatment are there each year? Will they soon be able to say you can't go home after work and have a beer? How about car accidents that one or both parties involved need to go to the hospital and recieve treatment? Should they be allowed to tell us we can't have insurance if we drive to work or else we have to pay a fee? I believe the people of this country should take their health more seriously, but the government trying to regulate what we do at home is not the way.
Re: tinkbell13 – I'm pretty sure that if you stand by your statement that 90% of the ICU patients were obese in one place at one time you are a liar. And if you turned down a job in an ICU unit because you didn't wanna waste your expertise on ANY sort of patient, then I don't believe you deserve the right to call yourself a caregiver and furthermore isn't there an oath you take to treat all patients fairly regardless of condition? If you turned down a job because you don't think obese people are worthy of your expertise then you really have your head stuck up your ass and deserve to be exactly the same as the people of whom you feel your better than.
DISCRIMINATION DISCRIMINATION DISCRIMINATION!!!!!!!
dont shit where you cant eat, stupid. You're not mister jenny craig yourself.
Yes, as a matter of fact, I did turn down that job for that. And, no I am not a liar because there was about 30 beds. 3 were empty, 1 person was dying, and one person was frail and elderly. The rest were overweight to obese. And, if you do not believe me, go take a tour of a local ICU yourself and see if it is any different. Where I work is four different ICU's, and most of them are the same story (except Neurotrama ICU which is more from head injuries, and car accidents).
This is why I did not take the job. Why waste my expertise on people that are going to die no matter what you do? And, why would I hurt my joints rolling people who are three to five hundred pounds? I dare you to try it some time…. Give it a shot, and maybe you might change your opinion. I would like to see you attempt to put a catheter in an obese person, and tell me how easy it is. And, bottom line, I will not put myself in a job where I would be taking care of predominantly obese people. That is my choice in my profession. However, if I get an obese patient, I take care of them the same as everyone else. Deal with it…..
Re: tinkbell13 –
While I have never taken a 'tour' through an ICU, nor is it my place to dictate which job anyone should accept/decline….I still can't agree with your logic. Tell us…are there other ailments/diseases/disfigurements/idiosyncrasies that would compel you to turn your back on those in desperate need of your so-called 'expertise'? Or, is it just limited to those whom YOU consider obese?
You are not an asset to the medical/caregiver profession. You are a deficit.
Re- DJJordan
I sense that my comments make you insecure because you have resorted to personally attacking my professionalism without even knowing me. That being said, I really do not care what you think of me. Pick up a book, start reading, that is the best way for you to understand how obesity kills you before your time. These laws do not fall from the sky, they are the result of concerned citizens lobbying the government to take action to protect people from themselves. This is why underage children cannot buy cigarettes, booze is only sold in licensed establishments, seatbelt laws are in place, and narcotics require prescriptions. I also do not want to work with children because it is emotionally draining- By your logic that also makes me discriminatory against children. Open your eyes.
Again, I challenge you to turn an obese patient side to side in a bed, or tell them that they cannot eat before surgery. Or, hold up their leg for 10 seconds… Give it a shot. This problem did not derive from psychologically, financially, and emotionally stable people. And, as a society, we collectively need to start assisting people to accept responsibility for the self harm that they are participating in.
If I don't want to give up my body for the "cause", that is my choice.
In fact, I have had obese patients that have been on their way, and I have had to heavily advocate to have them taken to the ICU where they would have a better chance of surviving. I do not turn my back on anyone, but I certainly do not throw myself in the fire either.
ha ha, I bet the whole idea is terrifying to you isnt it Perez? Can you imagine how much it would cost you if they charged people for being fat, having bad style, no taste in music, and being an asshole. You would need to take out loans
Re: tinkbell13 – By, absolutely, no means, would I be insecure by anything you declare and/or believe. You are correct…I DON'T know you, and, I don't want to….to be perfectly honest.
I have quite a few doctors, nurses and therapists, in my family. I would feel utterly ashamed to learn that any of them disregarded their oath AND COMPASSION, and only aided those whom they thought were 'salvageable' (those who are not on 'deaths doorstep') and of desirable height and weight.
You have made your prejudice abundantly clear.
My son and I are not obese…but, I would rather have ANYONE else, as long as it is NOT YOU, take care of us if, God forbid, we had to be admitted to a hospital. I would even go so far as to pay DOUBLE, the daily hospital rate…just to ensure that you don't go ANYWHERE me or my son.
You are a pathetic excuse for a human being…and you are in the wrong profession.
Re: DIJordan –
Whatever, back to the name calling. It is clear that you have nothing of actual substance to say other than resorting to Jerry Springer mudslinging.
Done with you
Thank you for your feedback.
Re: tinkbell13 – Oh, you poor thing….with all of your education, you don't know the difference between 'name calling', adjectives, and personal opinions.
I don't recall 'name calling', on my end (even though I DID want to call you a moron and idiot….now, THAT would constitute 'name calling').
Apparently, you are one of those who only reads every other sentence…and, even then, only every other word (when it suits your needs).
I don't know how old you are…or how long you have been a nurse. But, you need to save all of your future patients….by taking an early retirement.
Cash in your 401k, and retire to an island with no other human inhabitants…all of us, upright citizens, would be forever grateful.
I just wanted to point out that a lot of people seem to have read this to say that all the obese people in the state of Alabama are going to have to pay a charge. It is just the employees of the state who are subject to this, not all the citizens. This will absolutely affect my mother, and I'm hoping it is the thing that finally motivates her to do something about her weight.
Re: ChrisInKy – Hellz yes! We can be fat if we want, fat people are smexy!
OMG- where the Hell are Our rights going?
Perez- Not nice using Kirsty Alley's picture!
She's nice and can eat what She wants!!!!!!!!
That is SO dumb! Okay first of all, where the HELL do they get off trying to run people's lives? Its none of their business! So I can't work in alabama because I have a passion for the donuts? SOME people need their money! SO they're going to punish them for being FAT! How is that right? People have CHILDREN to feed, and not everyone has the money to buy healthy food. Im sorry but that shit is expensive! Now everyone is going to be too scared to eat, and thats going to start another epidemic, you know EATING DISSORDERS! How are they going to have money for rehab if they have to pay for every donut they eat. I mean SHIT! This pisses me off…I need a donut…and a cigarette.
Wow. This is ridiculously discriminatory. Hating on overweight people = the last great American prejudice.
Maybe the government should grab a brain, and realize that it is much more expensive to live a healthy lifestyle…..very much more.!!! Maybe address those issues ~ duh.
~..~
As a person who currently is overweight, but working on losing the extra pounds now, i think the law is a good thing. people don't realize how unhealthy being overweight/obese is. many people do not even care if they are some pounds overweight.
before i stated my weight loss journey, i think the only thing bad about being fat was that no man would find me attractive. then as i started reading more about overweight i realized that it's a killer.
and overweight/obese people are costing the insurance companies more. just like smokers are.
the government tells us what to do with our entire lives - we have no freedom!
Re: helwa88 –
Good for you, I commend you on your honesty. As a health care professional, all I can say is that you are saving your life. I believe that obesity is a more harsh killer than smoking because it slowly kills you, or it makes basic health care virtually impossible to survive. It is really difficult to both accept, and work on the emotional issues that undermine the weight gain. It is a daily struggle, and you will have to take it one day at a time.
Most people who really understand the depth of this issue will accept and acknowledge the support that this law is giving people who need to lose weight. You really are taking the step to begin to save your life. We need more people like you.
i agree with state government. they get free insurance but if they are all gunna be fat and unhealthy i wouldn't want them to be getting free insurance. and 25 dollars a month is probably way less than the fat people spend on junk food anyyyyways. it's seriously not hard to stop eating crap.
Re: michdiddy – umm hellooooo it's for STATE employees who are getting free insurance!!! not everyone. did you read it?
Yeah, when it comes down to a choice, I would rather drink water to keep the hunger pains off than eat fast food. I cannot remember the last time that I ate that- had to be years.
Can you not understand? This doesn't have anything to do with whether or not people should loose weight. For health reasons people most definitely should try and shed the extra pounds. But, no matter which side of that question you decide to stand on I would hope you could also see that this law would be a form of discrimination and should not be allowed. Discrimination is supposed to be illegal, so why would you decide to be for it in this case? Is is because you simply do not like fat people and believe that for their own good they should lose weight? People at one time didn't like the black population and thought they would be better off if they couldn't read. People can't allow their rights to be taken away. If they don't want to provide free insurance for everyone, then everyone should pay the 25 dollars. United we stand, divided we fall…or does that only work when it suits your needs?
THIS IS IMPORTANT!!
.
THERE IS A BIGGER PROBLEM HERE!!!
.
INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE USING OBESITY AND 'FAT' PEOPLE TO OPEN THE DOOR TO 'SCREENINGS' FOR UNDESIREABLE CONDITIONS. NOTE THE QUOTE ABOVE SAYS..'OBESITY, CHOLESTEROL, BLOOD PRESSURE, AND . THE . SORT!!!
.
THAT IS THEIR WAY OF LAYING GROUNDWORK TO NOT PAY FOR HEALTH ISSUES RELATED TO DIABETES, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, ETC, WHICH CAN ALSO BE CAUSED BY REASONS OTHER THAN WEIGHT.
I think Alabama is right for making those rules. Why does 1 person need to eat a full extra large bag of chips or smoke a whole pack of ciggarettes in 1 day. People complain about health care, not recieving enough free/low cost treatment, but they are the ones that put themselves at risk.
Yes there are some individuals who have health problems that make losing weight almost impossible, but they can definately switch to some healthier eating choices and watch their portion control to avoid putting on more weight, even if they can't LOOSE weight, if they try to maintain their current weight and avoid gaining they are indeed putting a foot in the right direction. Most peple just use "stress" or Genetics" as an easy excuse for not being able to achieve a normal/healthy weight. PLEASE. Get off your ass and exercise, u don't have to go for an hour jog or anything, even a brisk 20 minute walk every day will help your cardiovasular system, stop drinking your calories in starbuks drinks, you should pay money if you are intaking to much food and putting your health at risk. I think the money that is collected from these individuals should go to charity or a starving country.
Re: Tripleplatinum – Unfortunately, not everyone understands, what you are saying. Including Tinkbell13, who wants to 'pick and choose' the 'desirable' patients…instead of treating ALL, according to her oath.
To be practical about it, fat and unhealthy people die younger than healthy people - who tend to live longer. Ironically it's those who do the right thing by taking care of their health and well being who hurt us the most in the tax pocket. The government doesn't care, it just wants an excuse to make more money. I see nothing about rewarding those who do take care of themselves…just punishment for those who don't. Can anyone else hear the cash registers a ringin'?
Again, for those that failed to grasp the logic..a fat person with heart disease is much more likely to die young. A healthy person with mental illness is much more likely to live longer. To help you connect the dots even quicker, the longer a person needs treatment for, the more they cost us in the long term. Thankfully I'm in the latter group, so you'll all be paying for my skinny 100 year old Alzheimer's arse for a long long time - while the poor fatties take all the blame. Viva La Chubbies!
Not right…
Sounds like not having to pay health insurance is huge and if getting healthy is one way to keep it free than I think it is a good idea. The goverment is not telling them they HAVE to loose weight but they are done paying extra fee's for insurance for someone who does not care about there own body.
Seriously effed up if you ask me. In most women obesity is a hormonal thing which makes it really hard to lose the weight. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there are tons of people that are fat because they have no self control and gorge themselves with whatever food is handy.
But the government has no right to police what we do with our bodies. (if we aren't hurting others)
It just goes to show that as more time goes by the less freedom we have here in America "the home of the 'free'."
Re: Ms. Ink – So, using your logic,….after denying quality health care to the obese,….. the government/medical professionals should then disregard emphysema patients (because they are addicted to smoking), anyone who was forced to live in an asbestos-infested home (because they couldn't afford an up-scale home/condo), and those who are suffering from 'side affects' from medications that are doled out by pharmacists, but aren't FDA approved (whether the patient knows this, or not).