True if you're a state worker in Alabama. The down south government is looking to combat their status as second largest state by charging overweight employees.
Smoking state workers in 'bama are already getting slapped with a monthly fee; now those overweight can expect to shell out $25 per month for otherwise free insurance if they don't slim down by January 2011.
"We are trying to get individuals to become more aware of their health," said state worker Robert Wagstaff, who serves on the insurance board.
The program will include health screenings to deem which employees need to pay up. The whole program will cost the state about $1.6 million, will apparently pay off in the long run.E-K. Daufin of Montgomery, a college professor and founder of Love Your Body, Love Yourself, which holds body acceptance workshops, said the new policy will be stressful for people like her.
"I'm big and beautiful and doing my best to keep my stress levels down so I can stay healthy," Daufin said. "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 you think? Some people are naturally overweight, or become obese due to medial conditions and medication. Is it fair to impede on the choices of employees to save money for the state?
Ashmore said research shows someone with a body mass index of 35 to 39 generates $1,748 more in annual medical expenses than someone with a BMI less than 25, considered normal.
