What Is Health Insurance Coming To?
By sunshinelady
@sunshinelady (7609)
United States
January 15, 2009 5:36pm CST
I was watching CNN today and what they said that large businesses are going to start not paying insurance for people that are overweight. If they agree to do a program to help them slim down then they will. But it went on to say if a person refuses to do the program they are going to be fined. If they set you up with a coach to help you lose the weight and you refuse you will have to pay 65.00 and if you refuse to do the exercise program it will cost you 40.00. I couldn't believe this when I was watching the news and they said this. Did anyone else watch this on the news? Did I understand what they said right or did I misunderstand it? Do you think big business should be allowed to do this? They said that overweight people are costing more in insurance cost. What do you think about this?
1 person likes this
8 responses
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
16 Jan 09
yes being obese and I am one of the people who are is a factor in large medical bills, that is absolutely true, I hope it doesn't come here though because I have so much trouble trying to lose weight with my health issues.
2 people like this
@soooobored (1184)
• United States
16 Jan 09
Instead of looking at it as a fine for overweight people, look at it as a reward for people who work to stay in shape. Maybe a few people would be spurred into action at the incentive of saving money; after all, the program doesn't say you have to be thin, it just says you have to work towards becoming healthy. I think it's totally acceptable, given a privatized health care system.
2 people like this
@sunshinelady (7609)
• United States
16 Jan 09
When they were talking about it they said that there were gyms that the companies had built for the employees to use. What they are not taking in consideration is the fact that some overweight people it is through no fault of their own. This was on CNN and it caught my attention right away because of what they were talking about.
@sunshinelady (7609)
• United States
15 Jan 09
Hi ElicBxn,
They said on the news that the company had built a big excercise gym for overweight people to use. Which is a good thing in and of itself. But to be fined if you didn't want to use their couch and the exercise program. That is what has me scratching my head.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
16 Jan 09
Hmmmmmm sounds a little like some sort of government control. I am a smoker so I am used to paying higher premiums....so it doesn't surprise me that this what it will come to. Sure I smoke....but both my sister quit and both gained weight and now have heart problems. I on the other hand don't! But still in all....if smoker have to pay higher premiums...and discount are offered if they quit...then I guess problems that cause health concerns and higher health care bills should be addressed.
2 people like this
@dreamhealer (812)
•
16 Jan 09
Well what with the credit crunch and a GREAT incentive to lose weight, you could save money and get healthier. It is a struggle, but if obesity goes on increasing like it has, it will bankrupt the health system. This has been said about our NHS in the United Kingdom. From what I understand about the US economy, its industry needs every help it can get to be more competitive, so this would certainly be one way. The boom years are over now, so I'm sure there will be over 'tough' things that we will be asked to do. 
But once through the effort of getting to a good weight, you will feel so much BETTER! 
But once through the effort of getting to a good weight, you will feel so much BETTER! 
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
16 Jan 09
I think it is unfair. Do they refuse to insure smokers? How about people with a cancer history? Where do we draw the line. Already you can't get insurance in the private sector if you are overweight. I am overweight and couldn't get insurance--I was refused by every company that I applied to, I have the HiPPA insurance, the insurance for the uninsurable and it cost $600 a month doesn't cover anything.
1 person likes this
@vikeyshuy (284)
• China
16 Jan 09
personally,i don't agree to what the company does.nowdays,companies are profit-driven,they take all kinds of measures to save money.
the thruth is that overweight people are more likely to get ill.i know many of them suffering from diabetes,high blood pressure.
maybe it is better for them to join this weight-losing plan.
