Arizonans Be Fined for Leading Unhealthy Lives

[dajoki]

Arizona Governor Proposes Revamping Medicaid Program
Arizonans Be Fined for Leading Unhealthy Lives
By BEN FORER
April 1, 2011
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/arizona-gov-jan-brewer-proposes-medicare-fat-fine/story?id=13274368

Childless adults who are obese or suffer from a chronic condition and who fail to work with their doctor to meet specific goals would be charged $50 annually. The $50 annual fee also would apply to all childless adult smokers.

"If you're not going to manage those things and take some personal responsibility, and in turn that costs the state more money, then you need to have some skin in the game," said Monica Coury, assistant director of Arizona's Medicaid program.

Employers are taking notice of the costs of obesity and making changes. Alabama charges obese government employees $25 a month for insurance if they don't attempt to lose weight. A hospital in Tennessee won't hire anyone who's a smoker and neither will Alaska Airlines or the county of Sarasota, Fla.

<<snip>>

In a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Brewer wrote: "My proposal includes requirements and incentive strategies that will encourage individuals to take greater control of their health."


Critics of Gov. Brewer's Plan
Democratic State Sen. Kyrsten Sinema told ABC News that while she supports efforts to encourage people to live healthier lives, she feels the fees penalize the wrong people and reach too far.

[lbrtbell]

1. Yeah, go after those poor people who DON'T have kids!

They were wise enough not to bring kids into this world that they couldn't afford, so let's penalize them! It's OK for parents to smoke around their kids, though!

Heavy, HEAVY :sarcasm:

WTF is with this non-stop attack on responsible adults who need help? Especially since it's SO hard to get on disability??

[sharesunited]

2. Guns and ammo readily accessible in AZ and obesity is the health problem they punish?

This is just a revenue raising scheme.

[midnight]

3. Glad to hear the voice of reason is a Democrate...

I wish part of the program on health would to give across the board pay raises... Cancel debt obligations, and provide healthy water and food choices....

[louis-t]

4. In the next breath, they criticize Michelle Obama

for encouraging people to live healthy.

[notadmblnd]

5. I thought the rightwing nutjobs wanted less government intrusion in their lives?

[ixion]

7. nah, it's only THEIR lives... they absolutely LOVE to stick their drunken noses into the lives of

others who's lifestyles may be different from theirs.

[ixion]

6. More Big Government from the ' small government patriots' of AZ

:eyes:

[BlueJac]

8. Fuck the nut jobs.........

I think we should fine the crazies that can't understand the constitution, or the bible!!!!!!

[eppur_se_muova]

9. I'd rather have a nanny state than a dominatrix state ...

looks like AZ Regressives prefer the mistress with the whip.