Alabama Taxes Fat People

[jeffrey]

Should you pay more if you weigh more? That’s what Alabama’s State Employees’ Insurance Board thinks. In 2011 the board will start charging overweight state workers—those with a body mass index greater than 35—$25 a month for health insurance, which is currently free for all state employees.

(The state is giving workers a two-year head start; if they sign up for free health screenings and make progress, they won’t face the insurance fine.)

Being the second fattest state in the country—behind Mississippi—costs Alabamians lots of money—up to $1.32 billion a year in estimated medical charges, according to a 2004 study...

Alabama Slaps a Tax on Fat People - Poked & Prodded - Health.com

[bjl584]

I disagree with this. The Body Mass Index Chart is a completely inacurate way to gauge whether or not someone is overweight. I am an avid weight lifter, and because of the extra muscle mass that I have, the BMI Chart lists me as severely overweight despite the fact that I have 4% bodyfat.

[MoD]

I agree with bjl. Not only does a lot of weight not mean that you are necessarily overweight (as in the case of bodybuilders) but even people who actually are overweight are in some cases quite healthy.

[PrincessPerky]

while BMI might be a lousy wa to gauge health being over weight does tend to cost more health wise.

The trouble I have isn't that a health insurance co wants to charge more, it is the idea of the govt charging more. govt shouldn't have anything to do with self inflicted health issues.

[MoD]

Well said PrincessPerky.

[ktmarvels]

I don't think it's the government charging more, it just happens to be the insurance company the state employees are using.

Personally, I don't think it's a bad idea. People who smoke have to generally pay higher premiums since they will eventually use more services statistically, morbidly obese people (who this targets) also will use more services. I'm sure the company is doing it to recoup it's losses, and if it's an added incentive for members to get healthier, great!