• Is North Carolina's 'fat tax' necessary or too invasive?

    Wed Oct 7, 2009 4:01 PM EDT

    North Carolina is planning to impose a fee on state employees who are obese or are smokers, by putting them on a more expensive health insurance plan. Officials haven't estimated the amount of money the state will save by enacting the fee, but say the higher costs for smokers could save $13 million next year. What do you think about this? Does the fee make sense? Is it a way to make people take personal responsibility for their health or is it an abuse of power by the state? Share your thoughts!

    Results with 11 short comments
    Total of 915 votes - click on the "Display Comments" bar below to sort comments

    47%
    It's necessary. People who lead unhealthy lifestyles should pay more for health insurance.
    430 votes
    43.3%
    It's too invasive. It's not fair to penalize people for their weight or for smoking.
    396 votes
    9.7%
    I'm not sure, I need more information.
    89 votes
    Display Comments:
    It's necessary. People who lead unhealthy lifestyles should pay more for health insurance.

    Makes sense, especially since employees can earn the "tax" back by going to a health screening.

      #1
       - Atech
       - 5:24 pm EDT on Thu Oct 8, 2009
      It's too invasive. It's not fair to penalize people for their weight or for smoking.

      genetic science has shown that weight is controlled by genes to the same degree as height. How can you tax someone on their genes?

      • 3 votes
      #2
       - R.T.-912367
       - 7:15 pm EDT on Thu Oct 8, 2009
      It's too invasive. It's not fair to penalize people for their weight or for smoking.

      Are they going to tax pregnant women for their expensive choices to have children? Yeah, didn't think so.

      • 2 votes
      #3
       - solidox
       - 8:32 pm EDT on Thu Oct 8, 2009
      It's too invasive. It's not fair to penalize people for their weight or for smoking.

      As someone that is recovering from Anorexia, We don't need to add more body image problems to this nation. This is not ok to me.

      • 1 vote
      #4
       - Bethany.1107
       - 10:14 am EDT on Fri Oct 9, 2009
      It's necessary. People who lead unhealthy lifestyles should pay more for health insurance.

      Those who care about there health should not have to cover expenses for those who live irresponsibily. Let them pay for it!

        #5
         - bird-1394708
         - 11:35 am EDT on Fri Oct 9, 2009
        It's too invasive. It's not fair to penalize people for their weight or for smoking.

        People who lead unhealthy life styles should get a tax rebate. !Shorter lives cost less

        • 1 vote
        #6
         - M. Onger
         - 6:22 pm EDT on Fri Oct 9, 2009
        It's too invasive. It's not fair to penalize people for their weight or for smoking.

        I will not submit to this tyranny.

        • 1 vote
        #7
         - jg-958240
         - 9:01 pm EDT on Fri Oct 9, 2009
        It's too invasive. It's not fair to penalize people for their weight or for smoking.

        Actually, I'm fine with it in regards to smoking, since that is totally a choice. Not so fine with the excessive weight,often not a choice

        • 1 vote
        #8
         - Anthony MCSE
         - 9:42 pm EDT on Fri Oct 9, 2009
        It's necessary. People who lead unhealthy lifestyles should pay more for health insurance.

        What a story that lady on Today has - you either have results or reasons why not - the fat tax is needed - stop eating & lose weight

          #9
           - Lynn Romaine
           - 8:26 am EDT on Sun Oct 11, 2009
          I'm not sure, I need more information.

          Other businesses do the same. Check out large manufacturers, etc. They call it reduction for participation in a wellness program.

            #10
             - Alice Doe
             - 9:27 am EDT on Tue Oct 13, 2009
            It's too invasive. It's not fair to penalize people for their weight or for smoking.

            The smokers tried to warn you a few years ago when they went after them.Give them an inch, and next thing you know they want your donut.

              #11
               - Martie115
               - 4:18 pm EDT on Tue Oct 13, 2009
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