The Conservative Cave
Current Events => General Discussion => Topic started by: Ralph Wiggum on September 16, 2011, 09:11:17 AM
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City employees would see their monthly health insurance premiums rise by $50 unless they participate in a “wellness program†to manage chronic health problems such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure, under a private sector-style plan to be unveiled Friday.
After a standoff on work-rule changes, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has forged an agreement with city unions on a plan to use what he has called the “carrot-and-stick approach†to drive down the city’s $500 million-a-year health care costs by as much as $240 million over four years.
The program would begin by offering city employees and their dependents enhanced screening and wellness training to establish benchmarks and long-term goals, including weight loss, medication, exercise and kicking the smoking habit.
Coaches would ride herd over workers on a bi-monthly basis to make certain they’re following their prescribed nutritional, medical and physical fitness regimens. Those who refuse to participate would see their monthly premiums rise by $50. Those who meet their goals could see similar reductions.
“There’s no penalty for getting sick. But, if you choose not to be in it and do it on your own, you’re gonna pay $50 more a month and $50 for your wife. That’s not that much money,†said Lou Phillips, business manager of Laborers Union Local 1001.
More at LINK (http://www.suntimes.com/7679419-417/city-to-workers-join-wellness-program-or-pay-50-a-month-more.html)
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Coaches would ride herd over workers....more Obama government jobs?
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Our insurance pulls the same crap. This year I had to watch some videos (actually I just let them play and came back after a few minutes) for enough "points" so I don't get charged the extra $60 a month.
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I'm not familiar with their current coverage, but the more it's like a total free ride on medical costs, the less of a problem I have with this change.
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My company is going to do the same thing next year. And probably add a higher fee to those that smoke. It is all about cost containment. Truthfully, the healthier a person is, the cheaper they cost.
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I worked for a company that did that.
The one I'm working for now frequently sends management nasty emails because we aren't participating in their version of Biggest Loser, counting how many steps we take a week, or having meetings to share approved "healthy," but suspiciously inedible-sounding recipes. Crap! We don't need it. We have a couple nurses, both aged 72, leading our nursing exercise program. And the rest of us are just pretty fit.
We laugh. We take turns emailing back and inviting them out to identify participants and start the program.
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I worked for a company that did that.
The one I'm working for now frequently sends management nasty emails because we aren't participating in their version of Biggest Loser, counting how many steps we take a week, or having meetings to share approved "healthy," but suspiciously inedible-sounding recipes. Crap! We don't need it. We have a couple nurses, both aged 72, leading our nursing exercise program. And the rest of us are just pretty fit.
We laugh. We take turns emailing back and inviting them out to identify participants and start the program.
Reminds me of the 300+ pound chain smoking company doctor we had. He told everybody to quit smoking and lose some weight.
That was 40 years ago but I still got a twinge in the butt just remembering those huge fingers anyway.
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My company is pushing voluntary participation in data-mining on health care information, vis a vis lifestyle indicators, etc. While I have a problem with that sort of thing, I can certainly understand why they're doing it. Despite a relatively good benefit and health care plan, it is NOT a free freakin' ride unlike some state and local plans I've read about.