Do you think obese public employees should have to pay an extra $25 monthly for their state health insurance?

If they are going to discriminate for people who have uncontrollable appetites and slow metabolisms, they should then target people who sunbathe, people who have job-related stress and of course those who drink alcohol and smoke.

I'm a state employee and I think this kind of increase would just put another financial burden on those of us that don't make that much to begin with.

I remember reading a European study that said slightly plump were healthier than the suppose healthy weight. I believe it. Have 2 daughters one a so-called health nut and one slightly heavy. My health nut daughter gets sick all the time. My heavier one hasn't been sick a day in her life and never calls into work. They just want more money while people are getting less.

Granted, I would prefer an exception for those obese persons with a genuine glandular disorder or some other medical issue that directly causes obesity, but if we're going to target smokers, then why not those who choose to eat poorly and not exercise? We're not talking about someone who is "pleasantly plump," we're talking about people who are obese - defined as "extremely overweight" or 20-25% over the ideal range. There have been numerous studies showing that obese individuals are more likely to get sick, take more sick days, and have chronic health problems that ultimately cost a lot of money to companies and insurance providers.

With apologies to Ms. Fresca, but a little anecdotal evidence does not good science make.

I think they are out of their minds--when is the public going to wake up and stop this nanny state thinking. No more laws --we have too many. we need to fire all politicians and and pick random names in the phone book to govern.

First the Fatties, then the Smokers, next its workers being tested and you will pay based on what "May Happen"...Keep goverment out of our lives!!!

It's not a nanny state - it's business. The obesity surcharge reflects the true market value of the insurance - the added costs of someone who is statistically more likely to be sick and require more care and more expensive care. They're trying to SAVE your taxpayer money. Are you really so obtuse or are you just being a troll? Crack open an economics textbook - this is basic stuff.

I'm a state employee too and I couldn't agree more with Greg. Maintaining a healthy weight and quitting smoking is not that hard. I'm looking forward to NOT being one of the many state employees that make insurance premiums higher.

what is next, if you are married or not, they will want to know if you are single if you are actively sexual after all you may contract something sexually and need care for the rest of your life, why not help that person who is overweight, more than likely they are under enough stress already, why would you want to burden them with more out of pocket money for more than likely inadequate insurance already. when will we stop being a nation of "what's in it for me?" and start being a nation that says "what can I do to help my neighbor?" For most overweight people it hurts them more than it hurts anyone else, where unlike smokers you end up breathing their second hand smoke. Most people that I know that are overweight are not that way because they chose to be. I challenage those of you who condone someone being overweight to talk to someone in that position ask them if they are happy being overweight, ask them how they feel, ask them if there is something that you can do to help them overcome, stop thinking of only yourselves and ask yourself what can I do to help a co-worker have a better life. You may be suprised to find a wonderful person buried in that oversized body who desperately wants to come out but cannot do it on their own. The whole idea of singling people out for what maybe, is absurd. what do we then do with all the elderly and the young who are handcapped, if we want to really cut back on insurance costs maybe its time to start culling the herd. Then YOU could really save. Think about!

It appears the voting is following the obesity rates. Those who are don't want any incentive to lose the weight. Those who aren’t are frustrated with being an accessory to those who do not try. Insurance - an act, measure, or provision that gives protection against an undesirable event or risk. Car insurance and home insurance are based on risk. Why should health insurance be any different? Maybe health insurance should lose the label of insurance and be labeled assurance, no matter what you do to yourself the rest of us will pick up the tab. I am not suggesting any sort of age discrimination. Natural deterioration happens, and we should be able to provide seniors with excellent low-cost care. Global warming may be debatable, man made or not, but obesity is definitely man made. Society and “conditions” don’t make people fat, eating makes people fat. If you consume more calories than you burn, you gain weight. My personal risk factors would include: smoking, alcohol consumption, buffets, body mass index with exemptions to offset the flaws of BMI (density of muscle vs. lard).
OK, I have to stop. What a concept, huh? Try that one at the next buffet. ;)

if they're going to do this, then it needs to apply to ALL legislators and government employees including the governor, state legislators etc. no exemptions for them either. stupid stuff like this is ridiculous anyway.

Back when I was still a smoker and was being blamed for half of the ills of the world, a lot of my overweight friends and drinking friends had little support for me. And I told them "When they get through with the smokers, they will be coming for you." And I was right. Cry me a river and welcome to the world of modern day discrimination folks. I have absolutely no sympathy for you.

MANDATES BY GOVERNMENT DON'T REDUCE EXPENSES, THEY INCREASE THEM. LET INSURANCE COMPANIES COMPETE WITHOUT LEG IRONS. I'M TIRED OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT WHAT INSURANCE COMPANIES CHARGE. IF YOU THINK YOU CAN OFFER SERVICES AT A MORE FAVORABLE RATE THAN WHAT'S OUT THERE, BY ALL MEANS START A NEW INSURANCE COMPANY AND SHOW ME. IF IT IS SO EASY A CAVEMAN CAN DO IT, THEN START YOUR OWN HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY. PUT UP OR SHUT UP!

how much more are we going to take as Americans..

Let's stick together and tell these people to bug out of our lives..

this is getting out of control..

do your part across the country... always say no to any and all stupid government ideas.. it's time we stick together as american citizens against this massive body of idiots they call government

Zorki1c ---- i totally agree with you.. i don't smoke but i knew that was the beginning of the opening for the massive body of idiots they call government to get into all of our lives..
it's time to revolt.. just wait til 30% of us start meeting and organizing against all these idiots.. they just need to back off.. i'm getting sick of this junk

An extra $ 300.00 per year is nothing, be glad you have health insurance. My employer (MYSELF) can not get heath insurance for under $ 1200.00 a month, so not in my price range. Your public employees have it all, security, retirement, benefits that many private employees do not get. The government takes it away from those who earn it, and give it to those who don't. Not too fair to me.

. . .and New York City wants to tack on an 18% tax to your soft drink because the Mayor thinks such drinks are fattening. As the much-maligned (by Liberals) Rush Limbaugh has pointed out many times "next they'll be after (fill in the blank with their next politically-deemed vice).

This type of thing is absurd. I am presently overweight, however, I have no health issues - am 45 y/o and on no medications whatsoever. A former co-worker was in "perfect health weight" however, she had Osteoporisis and hyperthyroidism. Also a company than has to determine what is OBESE? There are plenty of people who might be 10-40 lbs overweight but in much healthier condition than someone who is considered Healthy weight. Many thin people have high cholesterol, diabetes, heart conditions etc. I would be in greater favor of having smokers pay more in health care costs - however, my mother smoked 2 packs a day for 40+ years. Guess what - she is 82 years old - on no medications, has clear lungs, and no vascular disease.

These are public employees which means all of their everything is paid for by tax payers. $25 dosn't cover the added health expenses. they are getting off easy. if they have the money for extra food then cut thier pay. public emploeeys should have the lowest pay of all so they find real jobs in the public sector so their not leaching off the ones who make this country run.
ps I'm fat

I mean they should find jobs in the private sector

I weigh 262 lbs. I have 14% body fat. Doctors say I'm obese, though I can out run, out lift, and out work all of them. They are skinny little puss bags!

My neighbor is obese and so is one of his friends. Both eat far less than many of my skinny friends and both walk 2-3 miles a day.

I hope fat people squash you skinny turkeys. Also young studs and dolls, I cant wait till you turn 50 after raising 4 kids! Then you'll have to eat a lot of crow ( a real lot 'cause you'll be fat!)

I work out five days a week at the health club and am in great physical shape with a 49 chest, 34 inch waist and I'm nearly 40 years old....my BMI? 28.3...10 more pounds and they would try to say that I'm obese... BMI is the wrong indicator to use when creating these types of laws.

It is statistically proven that obese people have more health conditions. That by no means states that ALL obese people will have a problem.....same goes for smokers.

This is following car insurance premiums. High risk drivers pay higher car insurance premiums. Why shouldn't people that are high risk for medical issues pay higher premiums on health insurance?

The problem here is that government is providing health care. Employers make these kind of provisions all the time in their health plans. All you nanny state cry babies need to focus your anger on the main problem and that is government run health care. What we need is a system where employers are forbidden from providing health care and people have to shop for it themselves.

No one complains about the cost of car insurance because competition keeps it low. Health insurance could be the same way if we let it.

The majority of Americans are fat & if you don't believe that just go to the mall, the beach, grocery store....anywhere and look around. So more than likely you'll never have a majority agreeing to charge obese folks more because that majority is fat.
I definitely agree that health conscience people should get a break in every way possible.

I agree that the BMI system is flawed, and I agree that we should crack down on obese people. I'm tired of walking through the store and almost throwing up from them. Obese people cause other problems too if I'm not mistaken a man was forced to pay for two plane tickets because he was an obese man. He should of since he took up that much room, of course he sued and won but think of all the court costs ect. If you think it's ok to be obese you should really think about going out for a run and put down that big mac.

Insurance is a business like any other. If you make choices that put you in a particular category - such as reckless driving, smoking, or obesity - then the insurance company will calculate risk based on that. Don't cry about it - it's just business. Everyone knows that when you eat too much, you gain weight. It doesn't make sense for other taxpayer to have to pay for someone else's bad choices. If you work for the govn't and want to eat Big Macs every day of your life, then you should have to go get your own health insurance. No freebies here or anywhere else in life.

The voting numbers tells me most people are a little chubby in SC. A Briton and his fat wife immigrated to Australia. They were refused entry due to fat Wife and associated expensive health care

time for these fat f&cks to get off their tubs of lard and get in the gym.
For one its a burden to the taxpayers to be treating all these "diseases" and for two no one wants to look at fat people all day long.

With so many starving people in the world its amazing that there are fat people around.

And FYI being fat is not being diseased. Its amazing, there are fat people sueing the airlines because they want 2 seats for the price of 1 because their fat a$$es can't fit into a regular seat.

If you can't fit into a regular seat thats a pretty good indicator that you're fat!

I might feel some sympathy if these fat people were eating only normal portions and trying to be fit but look at them....they carry 44 ounce cups of soda everywhere, constantly snack, and whine all the time because they don't feel well. They're always sick with something or other. There are three of these obese people in my own family and none of them "get" it. You can't eat and drink like this day after day and expect to maintain a normal weight. Drop them down in the middle of a 3rd world country and see how fast they lose that weight. For 99.9% of them, it has nothing to do with hormones.

Prehaps when socialized medicine sets in they will just refuse treatment
if one is not up to their specs. I believe too the elderly will not
deserve treatment. They being over the age of usefulness or due to
age and wisdom are to smart to vote for people who believe all
this Nanny Government should continue to grow.

The Government has got to get out of the individuals life. Where will it end? Anyone who agrees with letting the government control yet another aspect of their personal life is in for a rude awakening. The day when a right of thiers is infringed upon is when this person will finally take notice?

Gee I wonder if the folks who receive FREE health care will have any consequences for weight issues. Why is it the folks who actually pay for some portion of their healthcare are going to get hit with additional costs? (I use the term Free very loosely, nothing is for free, the taxpayers flip the bill).

The government is invasive and getting worse daily!

I am overweight, 55 years old and DO NOT have any health problems: no diabetes, no heart issues, no high cholesterol, take no medications. My husband, on the other hand, is not overweight, is diabetic, has high blood pressure, has high cholesterol levels, had quadruple bypass surgery last August which cost about $175,000, and takes 6 different medications daily. Yet, I would be the one to have to pay more for insurance? Look in another direction to get more funding from the employees for the insurance coverage, obesity does not necessarily equal more output for medical issues.

I always played sports, am a retired Marine, and still to this day, try to work out. However, my body has taken the brunt for "Taking care of myself". Numerous injuries, broken bones, torn tendons and legiments, and arthritis have left me walking like an 80 year old. I am 50! Exercise can be overrated. My friend Brigitte can drink Jack Danials like a sailor, has a terrible diet, never exercises, yet still weights 105 LBS at 5'-9". Ones genetic metabolism has a lot to do with how ones body looks. Stop trying to invent new ways to make our lives more miserable than they already are.