Is it fair to fine fat people for not dieting?

kerriknox

Did anyone read the artical at all? They are talking about people who get FREE health care from the state and welfare.Not people that pay for there own insurance or get it through work.
They want to fine them 50 bucks a year to help pay back some of the costs.
I think that is GREAT why should I have to pay for all of their health care when I can not even afford it for myself?

Fear and Loathing is right. This is not a fine for being fat. It is a fine to those who are on free medicade for not following medical advice. I think it is perfectly fine, if your Dr is telling you to do something to live a healthier life and you don't do that - why should everyone else pay for all your health issues? What I get from this is, ok if your fat as long as you are trying to live a healthy lifestyle. Eventually that will lead to you losing weight but it is not like you will be fined until you do. As long as you are trying you won't have to pay a fine.

fitnesspirateninja

How about the government just stays out of our lives? As free individuals we have the right to choose what we eat, it is up to the individual to decide what they put in their mouths. If I want to waste away on McDonalds (YUCK!) that is my choice or if I want to eat organic fruits and veggies that is my choice as well. The only place where the government should have a say is if it is a program they fund, for example school lunches. Now those need to be made healthier.

Hallelujah! Amen! Where's the freakin LIKE button??!! lol :-)

The government does control medicaid... That is a government ran program, that people get for FREEEEEEE! that is the whole deal. myself and millions of others are paying out our back sides for people to have gastric bypass surgery, get obesity caused diabetes medication and other medical things for free. The same thing goes with liver and lung transplants for those who smoke and drink away their organs. they should have to pay extra back into the system if they are unwilling to make a lifestyle change. that is what this article and bill is all about. They are watching out for those who are paying taxes to take care of those who refuse to take care of themselves.

Do you have links with evidence to back up your statements? Where did you get this information?

joilet

How about the government just stays out of our lives? As free individuals we have the right to choose what we eat, it is up to the individual to decide what they put in their mouths. If I want to waste away on McDonalds (YUCK!) that is my choice or if I want to eat organic fruits and veggies that is my choice as well. The only place where the government should have a say is if it is a program they fund, for example school lunches. Now those need to be made healthier.

Well then, why doesn't the government stay out of the lives of people on welfare and other such programs, and stop giving it to them all together?

The point is, if you are accepting help from the governement, you should also be required to accept conditions and/or fines for not adhering to the conditions of the free help that you are being given...
drug testing should be required...
following doctor's health recommendations should be required...
sitting around eating twinkies and watching TV all day, when you should be looking for a job and staying healthy should not be allowed

deeharley

Maybe it shouldn't be so much in fining the people who are overweight at rewarding the people to exercise, eat right and take care of themselves. I rarely go to the Dr. and am not on any kind of maintenance medications. Why should I have to pay the same insurance premiums as others who do not take care of themselves. Maybe if you reward people by offering them a discount for good behavior that might help.

Kind of like a safe driving discount on my driver's insurance - I like it.