Alabama To Charge Obese Workers $25 Monthly

What about the person who has an emotional problem and no amount of dieting will take the weight off? I know of a person who was raped and every time she got down to the weight she was at when she was raped, she gained and gained. I do not think the AL insurance has all of its basis covered if they do not include counseling for their members.

Frankly, this story makes me quite angry, not because of the subject, but because of the way the subject is presented. My brother works for the state of Alabama and is affected by this. He sent me the information from the State Employees' Insurance Board so that I could read it myself. It is titled the "Wellness Premium Discount Program."

Unhealthy people are not being penalized. In fact, all employees will be charged $25 for their insurance. (It may be irritating to begin paying for something that has been free, but how many Americans aren't required to contribute to their health coverage by their employers? $25 a month is pretty reasonable when you compare it to what the average American pays.) Those who meet certain health standards will receive a DISCOUNT equivalent to that charge. Those who don't will receive FREE health screenings and counseling to help them. Employees have a year to show IMPROVEMENT, not to lose half their body weight, which would certainly be unreasonable. If an employee has a medical condition which prevents them from losing weight, they are exempt from the charge. And there are several other ways to receive the discount and waive the premium.

My brother (who is an intelligent man, a Mensa member, even!) thinks this is reasonable and fair, and after reading all the information I am inclined to agree. He is already participating in the wellness programs to try to qualify for the discount.

Honestly in all the media coverage I've been exposed to on this topic, the actual state document is the first time I've heard the charge put this way- that healthy people get a discount as opposed to unhealthy people being penalized. I suppose both ways are relatively accurate depending on your point of view. I just find the "spin" that's been put on the entire situation very interesting. The local media chooses to report this story in a negative light because controversy gains viewers/readers and that translates into money. The national media is not only interested in controversy, but gets the opportunity to show the state and the south as bigoted and backward, thus perpetuating a stereotype that is not entirely true. I spent 15+ years working in both television and print news media. Don't ever believe that any news outlet is truly unbiased. Any story can be and is presented in a way to get the viewer/reader to lean in a particular direction. The media isn't referred to as "The Gatekeeper" for no reason.