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Updated: 9:18 PM Oct 26, 2009
Fighting "Fat" With a Tax
PEIA is considering a controversial move to charge higher insurance premiums for overweight state workers.
Posted: 9:03 PM Oct 26, 2009Reporter: Will Jones Email Address: Will.Jones@wsaz.com |
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55 Comments 
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ)-- A decision at the Capitol is now weighing heavily on state employees. The so-called "Fat Tax" is generating plenty of buzz and room for debate because the PEIA is considering charging overweight workers more for insurance.
PEIA says this could help with rising health care costs. The hope is that the threat of paying more for insurance will inspire obese West Virginians to get healthy and lose weight.
Some state workers think it's a good idea. Others don't.
According to a medical journal the average cost to cover a normal weight person is 17-hundred dollars a year.
It's $2,600 for a person carrying an extra 30 to 60 pounds.
$3,900 for a morbidly obese worker.
Costs that Dr. Daniel Stickler knows first hand. He runs a wellness program and a gym called Crossfit. He says "Charging them a little higher premium may increase the personal accountability of losing the weight. That is something that we are lack right now, personal
accountability."
However, some state workers are wondering how the PEIA would decide who is overweight? Some also say weight is not always a predictor of overall health.
It's an issue about weight that is dividing state workers on both sides of the scale.
The PEIA plans to have several public hearings to discuss the issue. The first one is set for november 9th at the Charleston Civic Center at 6 in the evening.
Latest Comments
West Virginia is obese because of the DELICIOUS CAEK! Fight back with FAT LARRY"S BAND!
even though i dont live there it still isnt fair to do that some people cant help the way we r would u like to be put out on front street like that for something that is wrong with u
leave it WV... and then one wonders why WV has such a poor reputation throughout the nation
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