April 22, 2009
House passes nation’s most draconian wellness provisions for state employees (Update: The Insider reports that the Senate also passed the bill)
The House suspended rules today and passed the conference committee version of the State Health Plan bill that includes shifting all state workers into the most expensive insurance plan unless they verify that they don’t smoke and meet certain body mass index thresholds.
No other state in the nation actually moves state employees to a less generous insurance product if they are caught smoking. Only Alabama charges state workers more because of BMI scores.
Originally the House asked a Blue Ribbon Commission to study these proposals and make recommendations. The conference committee put the harmful wellness provisions back into the bill.
State workers will now likely face random blood and breathalyzer tests. Presumably they will be measured to determine BMI. Low income employees who have no place to exercise and have difficulty obtaining fresh, healthy food will suffer the most.
These provisions only add insult to injury for state employees. Out of pocket expenses will increase sharply over the next two years and now the General Assembly is adding invasive and insulting breathalyzer and blood tests for good measure. Remember, we could have asked the Blue Ribbon Commission to study the ideas to fully understand the implications. There are no short term savings projected from the wellness additions, so there was no need to rush them through the legislature.
On its first day the House leadership said that it wanted to do something memorable this session. It certainly succeeded on that count. This bill will be hard for state workers to forget.
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72 Comments Add yours »
So we see here the ultimate triumph of the corporatacracy: draconian punishments meted out to the victims of multi-billion dollar advertising campaigns for nutrient-free (but fat- and sugar-rich) foods and/or the clandestine but deliberate inducement to drug addiction through the “harmless” “pleasure” of smoking. Where, in all of this, are the penalties for the real Perps — the corporate profiteers (including BCBS)? To the best of my knowledge, not one dime of the huge Tobacco Settlement was made available to help hooked smokers who wanted to quit. How about directing some of that Tobacco Settlement money toward a stop smoking programs and/or nicotine replacements (gum, patch, etc.)? The State of Maine makes nicotine replacements available to people at NO CHARGE — just like methadone. Which leads to a question about the invasive tests: multiple studies have proven that people have a higher success rate with smoking cessation if they use one or more nicotine replacement products. There are no proven long term negative health impacts from these products. If the State of NC tests are directed at detecting nicotine in the bloodstream, how will they distinguish between smokers and people who have substituted the patch, nicotine gum, etc. for the deleterious habit of smoking? Or do people just get dinged because they (the State) can?
Criminal. I can’t think of another word for it but criminal.
I will be printing this over on my blog as well.
NOTE – Nothing about auditing and compensation limits of BCBS execs and limiting administration overhead to say 10%,l so 90% of premiums pay the real people who set your kids broken arm or deliver you’re baby.
A question -
Has anyone ever seen or heard of a BCBS exec doing kidney surgery?
NO!
Well they take your money home.
What do they get paid for?
eb
BCBS may claim to be “non-profit,” but they’re STILL [expletives deleted] _parasites_. _What_ has been going on “behind the scenes” in Raleigh?
It’s time to publish ALL the names of the NC legislators who voted for this travesty of a health plan–and let them know during the very next election what we think of them!
And, the state of NC making blood and breathalizer tests, assuming those projected actions will occur? Wouldn’t that fall under the headings of “unconstitutional” and “illegal search and seizure”?
Who will be the first to challenge this in court, I wonder?
Disgusting!
So I live with a smoker and am subject to second hand smoke, will I be penalized?
Dis*(&*$gusting!
‘Low income employees who have no place to exercise…’
Hold on a sec. Do you mean that low income people are incapable of walking, running, finding a flight or stairs to climb, chopping wood, gardening, doing push ups, situps etc without also having a gym membership?
LOL!!! Surely you are not THAT myopic?
Low income state employees often work two jobs, so exercising is more difficult. Then if you live in a dangerous section of town “walking, running, finding a flight or stairs to climb, chopping wood” ain’t too easy. No, you don’t need a gym membership. But you do need things like sidewalks and safe streets, which many people don’t have.
Not to be too myopic.
at least state employees can keep toking the blessed herb since we wont face random urine tests! LOL
‘But you do need things like sidewalks and safe streets, which many people don’t have. ‘
What???!!?!?
Look, I am poor and can tell you that all one needs to do is exercise at home either indoors or outdoors. It is up to the individual to do what they can to live the best life that they can and this includes daily exercise. Daily exercise has little to do with the socio-economic strata one finds themselves.
How about making the membership to a health club such as onre associated with a hospital a covered service at 100% so we can get to a normal weight? If you have excerise induced asthma like me it is not a easy thing to just say walk. That can cause an attack that will send you to the hospital making the health cost greater.
I think people who don’t take care of their bodies should be penalized. Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are the cause of most of our health problems. Its a complete cop-out to say that if you are poor you should be allowed to rely more on subsidized health care. It takes discipline to work out. You can do push-ups, sit-ups, jumping-jacks, toe raises, or lunges anywhere. Heck, you can do those while you are watching tv or waiting for the bus.
The only people are overweight and out of shape is that we don’t work out regularly. Financial motivation seems to be the best way to get (all) people to do anything, so I am all for this new change.
In an environment of trying to cut costs and take shortcuts – I wonder what the estimated cost will be for these “special” tests? Who is going to pay for the tests?
If we are going to target people who are at risk with health issues, who will be next? Diabetics, folks with family history of heart problems, those many alcoholics who are not only killing themselves but also putting others at risk? Where will it stop?
This is about the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard of… All State employees should file suits against the State at large.
Even the police need probable cause and a court order for blood tests!
Is the BMI thing not “profiling”?
And folks… an elevated BMI doesn’t mean you’re obese! I’m 5′4″ and 165lbs, but I flipped twice in a car accident and the car landed on my arm and stayed there for over 45 minutes! Guess what? Not ONE broken bone!! High bone density.
So what are they going to do and where is the money for all of these tests coming from?
While “wellness” provisions are a great idea, people should be given DISCOUNTED rates for insurance if THEY can prove that they are an appropriate BMI and dont smoke, but what the state is doing is wrong! No one should be singled out like this. Not every overweight person or smoker suffers from problems and to be honest, I know people who are healthy weight and have never smoked but have mutliple health issues, requiring more MD visits than I ever saw my mother or husband have and they both smoked and Mom is overweight! So, just increasing rates for those who choose to smoke and the overweight is unjust, it is discrimination in its simplest form and an absolutely dispecable way to increase revenue. Afterall, you are pinching state employees everywhere you van, coupled with increased costs in the rest of our lives, this is an outrage! We work for the people of NC, government needs to work for us and make sure OUR NEEDS are taken care of too!
We are all for exercising and leading a healthy lifestyle. But this goes far beyond simply charging unhealthy people more. As I’ve said, most states that pursue these changes to punish smoking charge a fee. Alabama is the only state that charges more for a high BMI and that is also a fee.
NC is shifting your entire family to a new insurance product. There are many problems with such a move. First, it creates administrative problems. Everyone will be shifted to the “basic plan” unless they verify their nonsmoking and properly proportioned status. What if the State Health Plan does not get your paperwork or something goes wrong. Presumably you would end up in the basic plan.
Second, charging a monthly fee would probably not change someone’s propensity to seek needed medical care. Changing out of pocket expenses for doctor visits, as North Carolina is doing, would make people less likely to get needed care for themselves or their children.
Third, a Blue Ribbon Commission was set to examine the promise and perils of different wellness provisions. The legislature removed the wellness provisions from the study and just enacted them without understanding all of the unintended consequences.
Good! Every single person should take responsibility for his/her own health. Keeping weight down is incredibly hard for everybody. It is not right that those who do work hard to try and maintain a healthy lifestyle pay extra insurance dollars and medical costs for those who choose not to live a healthy lifestyle. Everybody knows that smoking kills you and junk food is bad. Besides, cigarettes are incredibly expensive. Here now is financial incentive for overweight smokers to quit smoking and use that cigarette $$ to buy healthier food. A gym membership is not needed, go for a walk every day, ride an exercycle in front of your tv if you do not want to go outside, it can be done!!! Take responsibility for yourself!!
Where, exactly, do breathalyzer tests fit into the schema of BMI & nicotine restrictions?
Everybody dies from something, let’s just leave it at that, it may not show up now, but someone will have Parkinson’s disease, another cancer, and yet another Alzheimer’s. Let people live in peace and stop discriminating against them based illness!!
I’ve censored a couple of comments here. While I completely understand the anger and frustration — we are trying to maintain a family blog. If I deleted a comment please feel free to re-post a slightly altered version of your sentiments.
The random breathalyzer tests, using a device called a “smokerlyzer,” will be used to detect nicotine on the breath of state employees. Then the state can see if you lied about your smoking status.
Wake up North Carolina, BCBS has got you by the BALLS!!!
In California employers cover employee and spouse health care and people pay $30 a month with full coverage. Here it’s $400 a month just for a spouse and has a $40 office fee and 20% co-pay.
As soon as I can leave, I am moving somewhere where the average middle class person actually has human rights!!!
As for those of you who proudly defend this state and defend your beloved tarheels, instead of defending your beloved corrupt leaders, what you need to do is march on UNC, Raleigh, BCBS and all the others who are in control and force them to kick out all of the fat cats, starting with BCBS!!!
Sorry, but far as I can discern a breathalyzer for nicotine is fiction. The only REAL tests (for cotinine, a metabolic byproduct, not nicotine) are blood, urine or saliva. Neither substance is volatile at body temperature.
You’re correct Reid — the breathalyzer, or smokerlyzer, measures the level of carbon monoxide in a person’s lungs and bloodstream. That is why the State Health Plan is going to use a combination of random blood and breathalyzer tests to catch smokers.
I don’t smoke and I have a BMI that does not put me at risk for this action. That said, it is disappointing to make such a drastic move without creating a pathway for fellow state employees to make these changes (for those who do). These are lifestyle choices, that have, over time (many years for some) become addictions, some more physiological than others. It is grossly unfair to immediately declare this will be the “new rule” without support and a pathway to comply with the “new rule”.
BCBS is, on the other hand, a 501(c)(3) in tax status only. Their business model is just that, business (driven by positive margins) and one key difference is they don’t pay taxes and we do.
The general assembly is facing terrible options and I don’t pretend to think that I know more about the circumstances they face than they do. That said, I do think more has to be done to leverage the size of our buying power and either consider other insurance products by other insurers or create more options with BCBS.
It’s not a failure to want employees to be healthy. However, it is a failure if means, support and time are not provided for those who need to improve their health.
What about anorexia, bulimia, alcoholism, illegal or prescription drug abuse? Aren’t these serious health risks, too?
what if your body weight is inherited? Then what?
and for someone who put in there comments that they should be penalized you are so wrong for that! Some people can’t help it. And no I’m not overweight not close to it. I’m only 110pnd and 5′3. I have a heart and mind and think about others. State employees should not be penalized for the State’s money mishap,we work for the state, keep us in mind we(employees) help state facility’s to run! It’s ridiculus crazy insane. Did The legislative think about there family memebers if they are covered under there state health plan, hope they don’t smoke or overweight they will get hit with the same thing! This is a discrimination!!!
Competition is a wonderful thing, this is America…we should not be strapped with BCBS.
We do have to think about our health. In other companies/states the insurer(s) provide(s) ongoing preventative care, mammogram, cardiac testing, colonoscopy, prostate screening etc. This helps keep workers in check of their health at all times. However, all members in these health plans do pay a nominal insurance premium each month (single and family).
I am in a PPO 90/10 which will be eliminated….We have no choice with this system, it’s take it or leave it! If you are in denial of the health risks you have stating that you are poor, that’s a bad excuse. I can understand your saying that because of being poor you cannot afford to pay the high bills from the hospital/doctor, including a facility fee!
Just out of curiosity, was there any discussion at all during this session about asking MDs at places like UNC Hospitals to pay a portion (even 5% would save millions of dollars) of their own health insurance? How many people even know that the doctors get their health insurance for free? Why doesn’t SEANC, for instance, take issue with this giveaway in a time of economic recession to people who earn 6 figure salaries? Doctors get a free ride when it comes to their health insurance and they receive other perqs that alone often add up to more than the average state employee makes in a year.
As Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis once said, “We may have democracy, or we may have wealth [and power] concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can’t have both.”
While we’re talking about people taking responsibility for their own health, let’s look at people who aren’t taking responsibility for bearing their share of the economic burden. I don’t mind biting the bullet but I DO mind being expected to bite the bullet while the rich and powerful consume the whole pie.
So, I’ve been overweight all my life, and I smoke. I see the doctor about once every year or two. My mother is thin and a non-smoker and goes to doctors about 4-5 times a week and is on innumerable medications. She has had an average of an operation a year for most of my life.
This does feel like profiling. How about higher charges if you’re a hypochondriac or a Type A personality?
The world has gone totally stupid and if the State Employees and other North Carolinians put up with this crap, they are more stupid than I can imagine. I am 65 years old, 5′4″ and weigh between 160-165 most days, my blood pressure is ideal (according to my happy doctor), have no cholesterol problems, no blood sugar problems, walk 30 minutes on a treadmill five days a week and outside when I can, try to eat healthy food, and not too much of it, but my BMI is still high according to “insurance standards”. I do not and never have smoked, but I think that smokers are already extremely discriminated against because, in my opinion, they have just as much right to smoke as I do not to smoke and I am overweight,(probably obese by insurance standards) therefore, I am to pay a penalty also? Just a new form of discrimination as if there isn’t already enough out there? Who are these legislators who rushed this bill through – how big a kickback do they get from BCBS? Maybe they get free insurance and a kickback? We, the people of North Carolina, need to wake up and take charge of our lives instead of letting idiots (or maybe they just don’t think things through, to be nicer), run, or is that “ruin” our lives. Salaries for the State will not go up this year and probably not next year, or the next, but everything else can go up in cost – makes sense to me.
Yes, I agree with the above ( several of them) WHY cant the state look for Health Plan options elsewhere? BCBS is really sticking it to the state and it’s employees and they know it! It is way past time for our state government to step up and research other plan options for the overall health and well being of it’s employees!
I hope Gov. Purdue reads blogs/comments like these from her constituents and LISTENS to our pleas!
Joyce, at least you are safely within the SHP weight guidelines according to the chart I got at the legislative committee. But no one is safe from the intrusive random testing — even nonsmokers.
I agree that smokers have to pay more for health insurance.
Because is your choice to smoke or not, and it has been proved all the damage cigarettes can do to the human body. However there are a lot of causes for a person to be overweight, starting from genetics, all the way to life style. I am not sure which is the BMI they are going to consider to be a candidate to pay more.
What about offer cheaper/healthier lunch options at the cafeterias. If I forget to pack my lunch I can eat something decent for less than $7, I can’t afford to buy my lunch every day.
Can state employees refuse coverage from BCBS and buy their own health insurance from a different company? Maybe that’s what everyone should do. To heel with BCBS!!!!!!!!
People are confusing the problems with BCBS as the plan adminsitrator with the merits or demerits of the bill. I am a state employee. I have never smoked. I am nowhere near the limit that has been proposed (35 BMI). a 5′10″ male like myself would have to weigh 245lbs. I am considered to be a little overweight at my current 190. I can’t imagine gaining an additional 55! I exercise and take care of myself, why should any of the generally healthy state employees or the State have to subsidize the poor choices of those who CHOOSE extremely unhealthy behavior?
Ultimately weight is about calories in and calories out. And i read constantly about people who were 300+ lbs who decided they didn’t want to die an early death and started out simply by walking a few yards and progressing to much more. Combining that with eating less, the weight melted off. I’m not saying it is easy, but it is immoral to require the State or co-workers to subsidize self-indulgence and that is what it is.
I’d like to lose 10 or 20 pounds and I KNOW that it is all on me, no one else. And no BS about weight being a family problem. Yes, that influences it, but it doesn’t FORCE anyone to be 70,80, 100+ pounds overweight.
Hey If you think this is BAD, wait until we get NATIONALized Obama health care! Take a number and WAIT!
There will be a health tax on obesity!
Good points, but I would offer a few counter arguments.
When considering the merits or demerits of the bill it’s important to keep in mind that BCBS, drug companies, pharmacists, and other special interests were not asked to sacrifice at all. State employees are the only group that suffers under this legislation. In fact, BCBS was approached and asked if it could help the state save 15 percent on its contract and Blue Cross said “no.”
Also, insurance is about subsidizing different groups — I wouldn’t call that immoral. Younger workers help subsidize older workers. Workers who don’t have children help subsidize pregnant workers. Risk averse workers help pay for workers who drink, get injured in a motorcycle accident, or break a leg while skiing.
But more importantly, as a nonsmoker you will be subject to random and invasive testing as if you are a recalcitrant teenager trying to get away with something.
There are better ways to design a wellness program. That’s why we wanted the wellness initiatives studied by the Blue Ribbon Commission that is convening to examine the State Health Plan.
As if the state didn’t already have problems attracting and retaining qualified, competent people due to payscales that run about 30 % behind the private sector. Now they want to nickel and dime us for health coverage. Good luck keeping young, healthy people around at all.
So, when does the testing begin? When do we have to pee and breathe and bleed for these swine?
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD YOU SUCK!
I have been overweight most of my life and have struggled just about as long to be as healthy as I can. About 12 years ago, I tried to get SHP-BCBS to approve me for a Doctor supervised weightloss program as a “preventative” measure to avoid a family history of chronic diseases. SHP-BCBS said NO even when I logically argued that the costs would be more if I were to get the disease than what the prevention tools cost. I developed Diabetes within 2 years and the medicines I must take cause weight gain and make it even more difficult to lose weight. Now, SHP-BCBS basically says I am a “bad person” and I deserve to pay more and be persecuted. Where is the logic in this. All I ever wanted to be was a person who could give back to my native NC and this State Government has thumbed their collective noses at we the people..the State Employees and families. Even without the added discrimination my wallet and I now face, I couldn’t add my family to my insurance….to do so puts me below the federal poverty guidelines. We shouldn’t have to wait till election year to fix this!
This may not be the best first step in making people take responsibility for their choices but at least it gets the ball moving. I make an effort to eat in moderation and exercise. Every day at my work I see the same people opt for the elevator over the stairs and junk food over real food or nothing at all. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that a daily regimen of Bojangles for breakfast, burritos for lunch, and God knows what for dinner will only lead to obesity and higher medical bills. It’s amazing the aversion some people have developed to movement. When construction closed the nearest bus stop people were incensed that they had to walk an extra block even though the unwanted exercise probably added a week to their lives. It’s ridiculous the excuses people make for these behaviors and I shouldn’t have to subsidize their medical consequences.
the unintended consequences of this legislation will be mind boggling. Just how accurate are these smokerlyzer tests? Is there the possibility of false positives?
Who will administer them?
State employees should be asking a lot of questions….
You can see exactly who voted for and against this horrible bill at the following links:
http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/voteHistory/RollCallVoteTranscript.pl?sSession=2009&sChamber=H&RCS=207
http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/voteHistory/RollCallVoteTranscript.pl?sSession=2009&sChamber=S&RCS=163
Call your legislators and either thank them or raise hell, depending on which way they voted. Ask them why the BCBS contract with the state is a no-bid contract. Ask them why the contract is not public record (only three people have access to it and even the governor is not one of them). Ask them what they hidiing. Ask the Wake County delegation why they abandoned state employees when they helped most of them get elected/re-elected (Rep. Deborah Ross, Rep. Jennifer Weiss, Rep. Ty Harrell, Rep. Grier Martin, Sen. Doug Berger). Ask Sen. Tony Rand and Rep. Hugh Holliman how much kickback they are getting from BCBS. Ask Rep. Dan Blue if he has forgotten that he is no longer employed as a lobbyist for BCBS.
aHHH…THE TYRANNY OF GOOD INTENTIONS:
From Senate Bill 287:
“The Plan’ shall develop a mechanism for verifying that the member does not smoke or use other tobacco products. Tobacco use will be reassessed annually at the time of Plan enrollment. All subscribers who have attested that neither they nor their dependents use tobacco, or whose physician certifies in writing that the member is participating in a smoking cessation program, shall have the choice of remaining in the Basic Plan option or enrolling in the Standard Plan option. For purposes of the smoking
cessation initiative, “member” includes all members covered under the Plan. As used in this section, “smoking cessation program” means active participation in a Plan-approved cessation program to include counseling or use of tobacco cessation medications.”
Looks like micro-managing run AMOK!
THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BIGGEST ADMINISTRATIVE NIGHTMARE/BUREAUCRATIC BOONDOGGLE IN THE HISTORY OF NC STATE GOVERNMENT!!!
Once again our legislators have proved they are sensitive to the Lobbyists, not the citizens! NOT ONE STEP has been taken to CURB THE COSTS OF HEALTHCARE ITSELF. THEY HAVE LOBBYISTS working for them. They are making sure they get their money out of the State Health Plan – that is what this funding is all about.The pharmacies, the hospitals, the doctors can bill without accountability – it’s all left up to BCBS to decide what is paid and what isn’t. Once again the politicians sacrifice the state employees and put more families in financial jeopardy. We already have had some state employees on Medicaid!!!!! I hope the Medicaid Program is preparing for its upcoming shortfall when families are pushed there!!!!!
While I applaud the concept of rewarding those with healthy lifestyles, this has not happened here. This is too little too late, another temporary solution to a permanent problem. The cost of verifying eligibility will be additional to the ‘administrative costs’ of the SHP and I can only wonder how well that will be managed – gee, I wonder what the ‘administrative costs might include – salaries for the people who are supposed to be managing the Plan? and haven’t? $250 million dollar shortfall – why? because we are so busy paying for illegal aliens’, and even legal ones’, healthcare? And we are expected as a group to fund that? While the health providers received no reduction in what they are reimbursed? Have even one of those voting for this mess ever had to live with it?
When was the last time you received an itemized bill so you would even know what your insurance has been charged for? As individuals I believe it’s time to take back ownership – start requesting an itemized bill from each provider – they won’t like it – because they are accustomed to conducting their business as if you have no part in it. and they are right
you all are getting bogged down over the smoking and weight issues which I agree iare stupid and burdensome – especially to the State Employees and the Plan will of course had to add some costs for that – I’m sure we will get charged for the ‘test’! – but go look at the two plans, look at the differencse in them – we are all still going to have to pay more and get less –
this is a bill of the doctors, by the doctors, for the doctors,,,,,,
you all are getting bogged down over the smoking and weight issues which I agree are stupid and burdensome – especially to the State Employees and the Plan will of course had to add some costs for that – I’m sure we will get charged for the ‘test’! – but go look at the two plans, look at the differencse in them – we are all still going to have to pay more and get less –
this is a bill of the doctors, by the doctors, for the doctors,,,,,,
I had really hoped that this day would not come, but now it is important to remember who is up for re-election. As a working adult, I find it important to know that I still had choices, instead of someone making them for me. I am overweight, but go to a wellness center and exercise 3 times a week and now that i am about to lose my 90/10 plan, i will go 5 times a week. Mind you, I only go to the MD for my annual physical or when my allergies kick in. I do NOT smoke, have HBP/cholesterol, or diabetes or any ailments requiring daily medication. So, my take on this is that I will be punished for fitting into a certain category of individuals that are basically being discriminated against. You must realize that one has to take the initiative to do something to achieve better health, which I did. But in 2010, you will still have obese people and smokers. You will have people like me, that are trying constantly to improve their health, but it will not matter to you. My question is, what are you doing about state employees that are constantly going to alcohol/drug rehab centers, why are you not allowing obese people to have gastric bypass surgery (if they want to, I prefer to work my weight off), why are we as state workers not taking initiative to call out our legislators, representatives, insurance companies, and governor to give us a reasonable explanation of why this happened. I am a member of SEANC (15+ years) and I wonder how they lost this fight. I have children that are in need of a health plan and will soon be going to college. one has to take medicine for migraines and one pill costs $79.00, but with the 90/10 plan, the cost is $30.00. Now tell me, why should my child suffer, due to greed and inconsiderate personnel, who attempt to disregard human life. I come to work when I feel bad, because I have a work ethic. I donate time to my sick coworkers, because things happen and they need a job; so why are state workers always the one to get the short end of the stick. I was taught to pray for those that are in power and I will continue to pray for you all to have a change of heart and to look at the real picture. The State of NC was in a mess prior to the election and I know that as citizens of the state we all must cut back, work together and most of all try to help one another. It is a shame and a disgrace what has been done to the state workers and their families. Most of all state workers, government officials and the insurance companies should take note of the social ramifications , targeted groups and the damage that will take place. I guess that this is the price that you pay for working everyday and not looking for handouts. A sad day in NC. Remember that we need to elect more caring legislators and representatives, because they are asking to be re-elected. senatorsye
I like most of the North Carolina State Employee I know who make a low salary(under $30,000.00) but continue to work hard to do our jobs.The health plan was on of the few benefits slightly above average we have enjoyed.
Again bad decisions are made by people who are paid a great deal, receive nice perks and are given better benefits than we can imagine receiving. Maybe the people making the decisions should live like most of us do, work hard,live off low pay, work second jobs to make ends meet,.drive old cars,can’t afford vacations and worry about being able buy needed medications. What more could we possibly ask for, I know higher deductable ,more out of the pocket expenses and a plan that punishes people who might be struggling with weight or smoking issues .An added note I am a little heavier than I should be but healthier than all the thin people I know. Sounds like profiling to me.Does anyone making decisions really care about state employees? Actions speak louder than words.
Is it true that BCBS is a non profit that made $120 million in profit last year? Why is North Carolina not looking into finding an insurance provider who is not so greedy?
I can’t say I’m surprised at the level of anger and frustration people have expressed here – this is by far the most response we’ve ever gotten from anything we’ve posted on our blog.
I was asking my dad last night, a state employee for almost 42 years, what he thought of someone coming to his office and demanding he breathe into a “smokerlyzer” or take a random blood test. The look of disgust and insult on his face was enough – he didn’t need to answer.
I’d agree with the person above who suggested calling your legislator and asking them some basic questions about why they voted for this bill. For a good discussion of the questions around these provisions see our latest NC Health Report:
http://www.ncjustice.org/?q=node/237
And if anyone tries to say that random tests aren’t what’s in the cards, just refer them to our YouTube page where we have multiple videos of plan officials calling for just that:
http://www.youtube.com/adamsearing
I agree that obesity and smoking is the cause of many health problems. This has motivated me to lower my BMI by 2011 and I will. Not out of necesssity, but because I want to. With all the controversy this bill is causing, you can rest assured knowing that this is only the beginning. I predict within the next decade, a new bill will be introduced to penalize you if you get cancer or some other dreaded disease; your premiums will increase or your insurance will be canceled.
It is ridiculous that health insurance providers get to operate at a profit. The goal should be to provide quality health care, not maximize profits. The focus should be the patient, not the shareholder. It is amoral that corporations make money off of sick people in this way. People need to critically re-evaluate this culture where everything is viewed as an opportunity increase one’s revenue.
First of all some of you prissy phillies need to dismount your high horse. What you are missing is that States employee’s are being singled out as a scape goat for the states budget deficit. To say overweight people and those who smoke should pay a higher premium to be penalized fro their behavior is childish at best. The door is now open to discriminate against other groups. How about a higher premium for Diabetics? What I see in the bill is that those the states deams as undesirables will be dumped into the more expensive plan, but I do not see where all the healthy people will get a reduction of what they are already paying. I agree that the doctors should have to pay for there healthcare just like the rest of us. What plan are the legislators on? Do they pay anything for theirs? What makes BCBS so special? Drop their ass like a hot potato and find someone else. Also, start spreading the burden out over more people like the physicians and legislators. Maybe they would have to take one less exotic trip each year to help us balance the scale.
Pure and simple, the Bill of RIghts has been violated here. SEANC should take this issue up and legally fight it as unconstitutional. IF we agree to these terms, it won’t be long before all states and all insurance companies take this approach. It is a matter of time before other illness will be included. This bill is DISCRIMINATION at it’s best.
The health plan offers NO support or help for the obese. They just started helping smokes. However, they DO offer support for those who suffer from anorexia or bullimia. I am overweigh HOWEVER, every medical procedure I have has NOT been the resut of my weight issues. They have ALL been genetic conditions that I was born with.
The fact that raising expenses will cause people to quit smoking (I DON’T smoke) is something most governments have done simply to raise funds. They are COUNTING on people to not quit smoking, if they did, they would lose all the tax revenues. Why else would they raise the taxes? I know a lot of smokers who just suck it up and pay more for their cigarettes.
I emailed each and every one of the house and senate members to stop this discrimination. It violates our constitutional rights.
I will be moving my wonderfully healthy children to a private insurance plan because I cannot afford the State Health Plan. My wonderfully healthy husband will always have private health insurance or his own because we simply cannot afford anoter house payment just to cover him – which is essentially what the premiums are for the SHP.
Instead of racism due to the color of one’s skin, we now have racism due to one’s size. Pretty soon, only the blond haired blue eyed thin people will be considered acceptable.
God save us all!
As Director of North Carolinians for Affordable Health Care for SEANC, I have always advocated healthy lifestyles in my presentations, including abstention from use of tobacco products and proper weight management. However, SB287 is a direct attack on every state employee serving North Carolina’s citizens. Both of the so-called wellness initiatives in SB287 punish state employees and any covered dependents by forcing them into the PPO Basic 70/30 Plan if any member in the family uses tobacco products or is obese. The positive incentives which were offered by SEANC to encourage wellness were totally ignored in this bill. Moreover, North Carolina now ranks as dead last for family coverage of state employees when compared to other states.
There is also hypocrisy in the fact that many legislators who voted for the draconian measures on state employees in SB287 oppose House Bill 2. House Bill 2 would prohibit smoking in all worksites with limited exceptions, as is already the requirement in state government worksites. This would protect the tens of thousands of state employees who must work second jobs just to make ends meet, help prevent the adverse impacts on their health from exposure to secondhand smoke, reduce their number of heart attacks and strokes, and reduce costs to the State Health Plan. Ironically, many of the same legislators who supported SB287, then argue that “private property rights” are more important than protecting workers from secondhand smoke. This despite the fact that the fact that restrictions on public exposure to secondhand smoke has been shown to decrease heart attacks and strokes by 41% (Pueblos Colorado Study) and despite the fact that HB2 would decrease Medicaid costs, which is the fastest growing segment of the State budget.
The so-called wellness initiatives in SB287 apparently had little to do with legislative concern for employee health. They were merely a smoke screen for cost shifting health costs to public servants by reducing their health insurance benefits.
[...] The Progressive Pulse – House passes nation's most draconian … [...]
ONE WORD: CHANTIX. Forget the Nicorette patches.
YES: smoking is hazardous and so I do not see why people should not be tested if they choose to smoke, a habit which is associated with so many diseases that they cannot be counted on two hands.
Chantix appears to be a useful med which is working w/ my clients who have been determined smokers.
As a psychologist who sees clients in their homes, and whom is a non-smoker, the HEALTH DANGER from being exposed to secondary smoke is very real to me in terms of : allergies afterwards; have to discard and wash everything that was in the smoker’s home; and this recent second hand smoke article alluding to research in the NYT:
“A study of 2,000 people by the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, published online this week in the journal Nicotine and amp; Tobacco Research, found that 57 percent of nonsmoking adults in New York City had elevated levels of cotinine in their blood, compared with 45 percent of nonsmokers nationwide. Cotinine, a byproduct of nicotine breakdown, is not harmful but signals exposure to tobacco smoke….”The study provides more evidence of the pervasiveness of secondhand smoke,” Jennifer Ellis, a former health department epidemiologist and the study’s lead author, said in a news release from the city. “It’s not clear why New Yorkers experience more exposure, despite the city’s relatively low smoking rate. It may be that living and working in close quarters with one another puts us at higher risk.” http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=10159976
Sorry, Big Burley state: it is long past time to get assertive about the problems w/ smoking.
I don’t see anything different from this than requiring people to ride w/ motorcycle helmuts. If you don’t wanna ride w/ your helmut, I suggest you have imposed upon you working in a large city ER in SC—-where they don’t have to wear them—-so you can witness the full impact of someone’s brains leaking out of their skull.
Marsha V. Hammond, PhD (before I was a clinical psychologist, I was a Registered Respiratory Therapist x 18 yrs and I did everything in my power to encourage people to stop smoking).
Chuck, thanks for the SEANC perspective. Well said.
I wonder what would happen if ALL the State employees decided to “walk-off” for a couple of days at the same time?
Feeling the swine flu coming on…
Who do they think they are by trying to administer a blood test anyway? I’d like to see them try it without probable cause and/or a warrant.
Go ahead, fire me if I refuse. My work plan that I sign each year has no “I agree to drug tests” clause in it. I see suits for wrongful termination if people are fired for refusing.
You can make up the laws as you go along. New hires, sure. As long as they know what they’re signing on for, but you can’t lawfully do that to people already working on established Work Plans.
I support the change. Why should taxpayers be asked to pay for extensive health care for people who don’t take care of themselves? It takes discipline and effort to exercise, eat right and abstain from smoking — but it can be done.
As to having to submit to random tests, I haven’t seen or heard any clause that addresses state workers who are disabled veterans. One state agency has disabled veterans across the state that help NC veterans find jobs, services, etc., whose job requirements are that they have to be a disabled veteran. Also, NC only pays HALF of this state worker’s salary; the Veteran’s Administration pays the other half. Disabled veterans are exempt from random tests, medical disclosure, etc. as stated to them from the VA. So, what will happen? The VA will probably end up in court, probably federal court, being military veterans at one time were federal employees. Does the state of NC really want to end up in court? Easley ended up in court when he was in and he lost.. Had to set up payments from money taken from one account to offset another. Oh and another thing, are teachers not state employees? Does the state of NC not pay their salaries? Only asking, due to statements such as,”state employees, teachers, and retirees will have to pay more for health coverage.” Why couldn’t it be written,” state employees and retirees will have to pay more….”?
[...] this article and this discussion it is noted that North Carolina will impose one of the most draconian set of [...]
As pointed out in the first comment, I don’t see how they can prove someone has been smoking as opposed to chewing nicotine gum. You have to state only that you’re not using tobacco products; there is no rule against gum/patch. It seems to me that if someone tests positive for cotinine (which is a nicotine metabolite & not specific to tobacco), unless they can prove your cotinine levels are from tobacco products, they’ll have no legal right to penalize you. I prognosticate that the legal fees the state will incur via such battles will cost loads more than any increased healthcare costs ever did…
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