So over it—you need to be careful. You are going to be solicited to run for office with ideas like that. Those taxes are just what Illinois needs to balance its budget and pay off its debts.
We see it all the time with workers compensation claims. Those who are in poor shape tend to have more injuries on the job and longer periods of rehabilition, thereby increasing the costs not only to the insurance industry but also to the employers. We all pay for it so there must be a measurable way to incentivize employers to offer wellness programs to try and lower those costs and increase productivity.
Everyone seems to be ignoring Beths comments. The question is “how as a society, do we deal with people who are grossly overweight and are taxing shrinking resources (economic and medical”? The costs are staggering and we’re crumbling under the burden. Nobody wants to proffer an answer to the basic question: “Who is expected to pay for these costs?” People are already over-taxed. And let’s face it, the costs are likely to increase, not decrease.
I agree with you. I’, 6’2″,weigh 205, and I have a 32″ waist because I regularly workout, and using the BMI index I’m Obese. The healthcare industry need to dump the BMI index for calculating someone level of fat.
The “logic” behind some of these arguments is asinine. The insurance premiums aren’t higher because the population is overweight or obese; the premiums are higher because those that are overweight or obese have a higher likelihood of having medical problems in their lifetimes at a younger age than in time past-such as Type II Diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer. Women have up to a one in three chance of developing breast cancer. Should men get a break on their premium because their chances are lower of getting breast cancer? Women don’t have a prostate. Can women get a discount for that? Overeaters aren’t trying to become seriously ill. Smokers are trying to get lung and esophageal cancer. People who don’t use condoms aren’t trying to get HIV or an STD. Overeaters need exercise, counseling on nutrition and portion control, some need specific medical care and all need positive reinforcement of the goal to attain a healthy weight.
Instead of suggesting a fat tax &/or griping about your co-workers medical needs, look around and see how many of those Fatties would help you or support you, if you were diagnosed with a serious illness.
That is correct Ralph. And, if you can not afford to pay 100% for your own health care then die in peace brother, because don’t get into my pocket for health care subsidies because you ate yourself to death. RIP
Look at it this way: the obese, the smokers, the alcoholics, die sooner. On the shortfall, you may spend more in medical premiums, but in the longfall, you save on SS and Medicare.
We also are not addressing the issue of being chained to your desk for 10 hours a day not counting excessive commuting times. Do we not think that some of our jobs contribute to this problem as well?
Are we also failing to consider the aging of America? The older you get, the less able you may be to workout.
This is not a tossaway issue, but the blogger that pointed out a whole lot of personal lifestyle issues for potential taxing was right on…what about excessive alkcohol use? What about unprotected sex? What are the costs of those personal lifestyle behanviors? OH, should we mention drug abuse, too?
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So over it—you need to be careful. You are going to be solicited to run for office with ideas like that. Those taxes are just what Illinois needs to balance its budget and pay off its debts.
We see it all the time with workers compensation claims. Those who are in poor shape tend to have more injuries on the job and longer periods of rehabilition, thereby increasing the costs not only to the insurance industry but also to the employers. We all pay for it so there must be a measurable way to incentivize employers to offer wellness programs to try and lower those costs and increase productivity.
Make a federal sales tax This way when I buy too much food to feed my fat face, I will pay more in sales tax. Then we can Pay as we eat!
Everyone seems to be ignoring Beths comments. The question is “how as a society, do we deal with people who are grossly overweight and are taxing shrinking resources (economic and medical”? The costs are staggering and we’re crumbling under the burden. Nobody wants to proffer an answer to the basic question: “Who is expected to pay for these costs?” People are already over-taxed. And let’s face it, the costs are likely to increase, not decrease.
I agree with you. I’, 6’2″,weigh 205, and I have a 32″ waist because I regularly workout, and using the BMI index I’m Obese. The healthcare industry need to dump the BMI index for calculating someone level of fat.
STAY OUT OF MY REFRIGERATOR! IT IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS HOW I CHOOSE TO LIVE MY LIFE OR WHAT FOODS I CHOOSE TO PUT IN MY MOUTH!!
The “logic” behind some of these arguments is asinine. The insurance premiums aren’t higher because the population is overweight or obese; the premiums are higher because those that are overweight or obese have a higher likelihood of having medical problems in their lifetimes at a younger age than in time past-such as Type II Diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer. Women have up to a one in three chance of developing breast cancer. Should men get a break on their premium because their chances are lower of getting breast cancer? Women don’t have a prostate. Can women get a discount for that? Overeaters aren’t trying to become seriously ill. Smokers are trying to get lung and esophageal cancer. People who don’t use condoms aren’t trying to get HIV or an STD. Overeaters need exercise, counseling on nutrition and portion control, some need specific medical care and all need positive reinforcement of the goal to attain a healthy weight.
Instead of suggesting a fat tax &/or griping about your co-workers medical needs, look around and see how many of those Fatties would help you or support you, if you were diagnosed with a serious illness.
That is correct Ralph. And, if you can not afford to pay 100% for your own health care then die in peace brother, because don’t get into my pocket for health care subsidies because you ate yourself to death. RIP
Look at it this way: the obese, the smokers, the alcoholics, die sooner. On the shortfall, you may spend more in medical premiums, but in the longfall, you save on SS and Medicare.
We also are not addressing the issue of being chained to your desk for 10 hours a day not counting excessive commuting times. Do we not think that some of our jobs contribute to this problem as well?
Are we also failing to consider the aging of America? The older you get, the less able you may be to workout.
This is not a tossaway issue, but the blogger that pointed out a whole lot of personal lifestyle issues for potential taxing was right on…what about excessive alkcohol use? What about unprotected sex? What are the costs of those personal lifestyle behanviors? OH, should we mention drug abuse, too?
I wondered how long it would take for someone to get belligerent while talking about this subject. Well done, Tom.