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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Health Bill Has a Big Carrot for the Healthy

Senate measure would let employers cut premiums up to 50%

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(Newser) – A measure slipped into the Senate’s health care reform bill could cut workers’ insurance costs by up to half if they eat well, lose weight, and quit smoking, the Boston Globe reports. The measure may be key to encouraging Americans to stay healthy without too much government imposition, a major point of contention in the debate. “Money talks,” notes Sen. Judd Gregg.

Firms that offer health insurance can currently cut costs by just 20% for employees who work to get healthier. The bill would push that figure to 30%, and allow the Obama administration to hike it to 50%. The bill “will help Americans become healthier, avoid illness, and reduce health care costs to individuals, businesses, and the government,” said acting health committee chairman Chris Dodd.

Acting Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Chris Dodd, right, huddles with the committee's ranking Republican, Sen. Mike Enzi, center, and Sen. Lamar Alexander.
Acting Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Chris Dodd, right, huddles with the committee's ranking Republican, Sen. Mike Enzi, center, and Sen. Lamar Alexander.   (AP Photo)
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee members engage in a discussion, during the continuation of a markup of the Affordable Health Choices Act yesterday.
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee members engage in a discussion, during the continuation of a markup of the Affordable Health Choices Act yesterday.   (AP Photo)
Acting Senate health committee chair Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., huddles with Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, before a mark-up of the Affordable Health Choices Act, Monday, July 13, 2009.
Acting Senate health committee chair Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., huddles with Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, before a mark-up of the Affordable Health Choices Act, Monday, July 13, 2009.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
President Barack Obama gestures during his remarks on lower drug costs, June 22, 2009, at the White House.
President Barack Obama gestures during his remarks on lower drug costs, June 22, 2009, at the White House.   (AP Photo)
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12 comments
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Unaffiliated
Jul 15, 09 12:12 PM CDT
It'd be great to see a healthier America. I hope this works as they intend it to. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
Snarfeh
Jul 15, 09 12:16 PM CDT
For once, I like something they slid in sideways... Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
Fondue
Jul 15, 09 12:17 PM CDT
If we could eliminate corporate intervention, that would be awesome. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
Timinator2K
Jul 15, 09 12:19 PM CDT
OMG! POSITIVE INCENTIVE?!? HERESY! The Dems are all about PUNISHMENT, not reward..."Get Healthy or, we'll give you lots of other people's money to stay fat and smoking." Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-9
IN RESPONSE:
Snowleopard
Jul 15, 09 1:12 PM CDT
The Democrats are are punishment? since when? in regards to the prison system, isn't it the conservatives that are all about stricter sentences and the death penalty, while the democrats favor rehabilitation? Can you state your point a bit better, or are you just making an poorly thought out, partisan attack?
Vote up! Vote down!
+3

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