Alabama has given its overseight state employees one year to slim down, or else they will be forced to pay for insurance that is otherwise free. Having recently moved to the second highest state in national obesity rankings, Alabama is trying to get their employees to become more aware of their health. The state already charges workers who smoke, but it now turning its attention to obesity. Those obese employees who fail to lose weight will be charged $25 a month for insurance. This will generate income for the state, though $1.6 million will be spent on health screenings and wellness programs next year.
While the lobbying group representing state workers in Alabama isn’t objecting to this new policy, obese employees are opposed, not only because of the $25 they will be forced to pay for insurance, but because some of them suffer from obesity for health reasons beyond their control.
Alabama is the first state to charge overweight employees who don’t make an effort to become more healthy.
