Science Forums 2

[Nitack]

I am a legislative analyst/lobbyist by trade and review health care legislation from the states. I came across this piece of legislation today and thought it might be of interest to people here. It would require that health plans give a discount (rebate) to people who keep a healthy BMI.

Now, Health Plans will not just dole out this money out of the goodness of their hearts, they are businesses who need to make a profit because they report to share holders. What will end up happening is that this bill will allow them to raise rates on everyone in order to cover this rebate, and your obese population will end up paying more for health care premiums. This is not a direct tax, but will work as an indirect one. I personally don't see anything wrong with increasing the premiums for obese individuals, after all, obesity related illness and care accounts for almost 10% of all health care spending. No different than a smoker with higher premiums.

Anyway, here is the legislation if anyone is interested in reading.
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STATE OF CONNECTICUT
General Assembly Proposed Bill No. 5171
January Session, 2009 LCO No. 573
Referred to Committee on
Insurance and Real
Estate
Introduced by:
REP. MUSHINSKY, 85th
Dist.
Connecticut General Assembly - January Session, 2009

Statement of Purpose:

To promote wellness regimens by providing incentives to individuals who
maintain a healthy body mass index.

AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY REBATES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

That title 38a of the general statutes be amended to require an insurer,
health care center, hospital and medical service corporation or other entity
that delivers, issues for delivery, renews, amends or continues in this state
any health insurance policy to offer a rebate or incentive that is in
compliance with the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act of 1996,
P.L. 104-191, to individuals who maintain a healthy body mass index at the
time of renewal of such policy.
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Perhaps not about the science related to obesity, but interesting how the debate may take new forms.