West Virginia PEIA Considers Charging Overweight Workers More
Save Email Print
Bookmark and Share
Updated: 9:27 AM Oct 23, 2009
West Virginia PEIA Considers Charging Overweight Workers More
Overweight state workers in West Virginia could start paying more for health insurance.
Posted: 9:19 AM Oct 23, 2009
Reporter: The Associated Press
Email Address: anna.baxter@wsaz.com
width:200 and height: 120 and picwidth: 200 and pciheight: 120
Font Size:

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Overweight state workers in West Virginia could start paying more for health insurance.

At the urging of Gov. Joe Manchin, the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency's Finance Board voted Thursday to seek public comment on the idea.

Director Ted Cheatham said the governor is interested in finding ways to promote healthier lifestyles and to control health-care costs.

Cheatham said higher premiums might encourage workers to lose weight.

PEIA already charges smokers $25 more a month than nonsmokers.

Last week, North Carolina's public employee health insurance program announced that it will start charging higher premiums for overweight policy holders, beginning in July 2011.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Timothy on Oct 29, 2009 at 01:21 PM

I think it's a good thing. West Virginia is one of the, if not the, most obese states in the country. people sit around feeling sorry for themselves. You can't blame all the problems on thyroid. There are some instances where thyroid or meds are to blame, but what is the difference in percentage? The government is not trying to control weight. The government is trying to give incentives to people who take care of themselves. Fat people are a drain on society. More states should do this. My tax dollars should go to someone who is willing and able to work hard. It has been proven that obese people are less productive. It has also been proven that obese people have more medical problems. In both instances obese people are draining the economy by increasing insurance rates and increasing taxes by taking their sweet time. Go in any state ran business. Where is the productivity? Even the skinny ones are rude and non-productive.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 27, 2009 at 11:26 AM

They need to do some research before approving this! Prescription meds can cause weight problems, medical problems can cause weight problems, such as Thyroid problems, etc. Total waste this is! Draining money out of pockets WILL NOT cause the fattest state to lose weight! Just more people looking to get food stamps etc.
Posted by: Vicky on Oct 26, 2009 at 06:32 PM

The state needs to look for another healthcare provider? Manchin needs to stand up for state employees!
More Stories
$310,000,000
Go to our mobile site | Make this your homepage (IE)
Live Feed Now on the Always On Channel

Local Events

Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
WSAZ Digital Business Search
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Click here to send us your pictures and video pix@wsaz.com
WSAZ.com Most Popular / Most Comments
CNN.com News Headlines
WSAZ.com Sponsor Sections & Links
SOMC-Very good things are happening here SOMC
Very good things are happening here. Click here to learn more
Click here for closing and delays
Click here for school closings and delays
West Virginia Lottery nightly @ 6:59pm on WSAZ click here for numbers and drawings
Watch the Lottery Live Monday - Saturday @ 6:59pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3. Need to check your numbers? Click here.
Ohio Lottery
Watch the Ohio Lottery Drawings weeknights @ 7:29pm and Cash Explosion Saturday @ 7:30pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3.
WSAZ Children's Charitable Foundation
Click here to donate and help WSAZ help children at risk in our region. Thank you.
Making Moms LIfe Easier - with Diane Dimoff
Click here to see how our partners are making Moms and women's lives easier.
First Warning Hour-By-Hour Forecasts
+ Ashland, KY
+ Athens, OH
+ Beckley, WV
+ Charleston, WV
+ Clarksburg, WV
+ Clay, WV
+ Gallipolis, OH
+ Huntington, WV
+ Ironton, OH
+ Logan, WV
+ Morgantown, WV 		+ Paintsville, KY
+ Parkersburg, WV
+ Pikeville, KY
+ Pomeroy, OH
+ Portsmouth,OH
+ Ripley, WV
+ Spencer, WV
+ Sutton, WV
+ Wayne, WV
+ Wheeling, WV
+ Williamson, WV