Alabama to charge state workers who are too fat

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080822/ap_on_bi_ge/obesity_penalty

The state has given its 37,527 employees a year to start getting fit - or they'll pay $25 a month for insurance that otherwise is free.

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research shows someone with a body mass index of 35 to 39 generates $1,748 more in annual medical expenses than someone with a BMI less than 25, considered normal.

Now I don't argue with the theory.  Those more at risk should pay more.  That's what we do with car insurance.  That's what we do with homeowner's insurance.  So I don't theoretically object to the surcharge.  But the problem is the presentation.  It's too "Big Brother."  It's "Do this or suffer the consequences, even if your weight hasn't actually caused a problem yet."  It's presented as an additional burden, charging an additional $300 on insurance if people don't do something that is, in effect, a personal matter.  It's pointing the finger at overweight people.

Adults don't want fingers pointed at them.

  What they should have done is presented it as an incentive.  If I was director of HR for the state, I would have restructured the insurance program to reflect the higher premium for everyone, BUT then offered a discount to employees who were already at or working toward certain health goals. 

"Due to rising health insurance costs, we are forced to pass on some of the increases to employees.  However, we have been able to negotiate special discounts for employees that (fill in blanks with details.)"  Now, instead of punishing employees for unhealthy behavior, you are "rewarding" them.  Nobody feels singled out for punishment.  Everyone has the chance to get the same discounts.