SC Senator: If You Weigh More, You Pay More
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SC Senator: If You Weigh More, You Pay More
South Carolina has a new record that doesn't sit well with some: it's the fifth fattest state in the country. One SC State Senator says that's a major reason why the cost health care is so high. News...
South Carolina has a new record that doesn’t sit well with some: it’s the fifth fattest state in the country. One SC State Senator says that’s a major reason why the cost health care is so high. News Channel 6’s Joy Howe has his controversial plan on how to trim the fat.
Published: January 21, 2009
Updated: January 21, 2009
SC—It’s a touchy subject, to say the least, but Republican South Carolina State Senator Greg Ryberg says it has to be addressed.
His plan is to tack on an additional $25 a month to the healthcare of state employees who are considered grossly obese.
State Sen. Greg Ryberg, (R) Aiken, SC: “It’s just being fair in allocating the costs that are incurred to the people who are really creating a drain and creating a huge financial liability on the healthcare system.“
Sen. Ryberg says the Budget and Control Board already did this with people who smoke….and now he plans to mirror that, and create what he calls an incentive:
Sen. Ryberg: “This is a motivating bill to see if we can’t motivate people to life a healthier lifestyle and one of the ways to do it, and many times, it’s through a person’s pocketbook.“
The idea is getting mixed reviews here at home:
James Durrance, Clearwater, SC: “It isn’t any of his business how people, how much they weigh and what they eat.“
Mary Pontoo, Graniteville, SC: “I think it’s a good idea, really, because of a lot of people need help losing weight.“
There are questions….how do you define someone as ‘grossly obese’ and who determines whether they are that way because of overeating, or some medical condition?
N’tari Carr, Augusta, GA: “If you have some form of glandular problem, or something you’ve been living with since childhood, I guess it would be a tad unfair for you to do something like that!“
Sen. Ryberg: “We’re talking about people that are grossly obese, that have made the conscious decision to not be in shape, and who are incurring increased healthcare costs.“
The Senator says it will have to be up to a doctor to decide who is obese…and if there’s a legitimate reason why.
Monte Farmer, Aiken, SC: “Greg is a good one, he is, he is. But I don’t think that’s fair. I really don’t.“
James Williams, Edgefield, SC: “Having healthcare’s just hard anyway. People can’t get the primary of whatever, so adding on that, I think would be a burden to people who already can’t afford healthcare.“
Rosetta Bush, Aiken, SC: “They might just try!“
A lot of opinions, some for, some against, but the Senator says he’ll take them all, if it means spreading the word:
Sen. Ryberg: “And hopefully, we don’t collect a dime, hopefully it gives people an added incentive to live a healthier lifestyle.“
Sen. Ryberg says people have asked him, ‘why not do this with alcohol addiction?’ He says he is now looking at that as well, something to maybe tackle in the future.
He says his goal is to get this passed and signed by the Governor this year.
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Reader Reactions
I used to feel the same way as Sen Ryberg about obese people… then I had to start taking meds for arthritis and gained an average of 10 lbs a year which I tried to fight but couldn’t get off or keep off. Mr Ryberg needs to walk in these shoes before he penalizes folks. It’s already more expensive because the healthy foods are more expensive than cheap comfort foods. Also, I have outlived at least 5 people I know who had the “healthy” lifestyle and they ended up with expensive surgeries and treatments. I’m still only getting routine follow ups for my “risk” factors. Who is really going to make a fair judgment on what is draining our health care resources? We only know what STATISTICALLY risk factors are and they’ve been determined by the insurance companies. Please, Sen Ryberg, BE FAIR!
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