Americans might not like the idea of a nanny state, but the question may not be whether we live in one, but who the nanny is.
Indiana hospital operator Clarian Health Partners seems to be applying for the job, at least when it comes to members of its employee health plan. The company made headlines this week when it began docking the paychecks of employees who aren’t living healthy lifestyles, in an effort to stem rising health care costs. Smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol all warrant a $5 fine, while a body mass index of over 30 costs you $10.
The idea is to give employees incentives to be healthier, thus reducing the amount of money the company has to pay in medical claims. It’s the same motive behind more common employer initiatives — like incentives to join fitness programs or to stop smoking. But of course, Clarian is taking it a step further by actually penalizing employees for their health conditions, apparently feeling that positive reinforcement wasn’t getting the job done.
Clarian began its program only after final non-discrimination rules for HIPAA were set in July. And some think it is indicative of a new, more aggressive trend among employers to manage the costs associated with health care.
Proponents of Clarian’s scheme are using words like “transparent” and “tough love” to describe it. And in its press release announcing the initiative, Clarian couched it in the rhetoric of regional health care “leadership.” Apparently, Clarian intends for its employees to be a beacon of light for Hoosiers trying to find their way to a healthy lifestyle.
Such a program is, in some ways, a logical outcome of certain characteristics of the US health care system, namely skyrocketing costs and dependence on employer-sponsored insurance. But it remains to be seen how well it will work or what the legal ramifications will be. How will it affect nurse recruitment during a nurse shortage? Is it fair to the company’s lowest earners, who are hurt disproportionately by the fees? And will people unwilling to let the government control their personal choices allow their employer to do so?
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I feel it is a way for corperations to stick it to their employees,would will the middle class / poor go to, when you get your paycheck ,you are not able to pay your bills due to the fact they have adding more ways to take money away from your paycheck.People are already paying out of their pockets,when you have over $153.00 every two weeks,and now you are going to take more money for health problems.Who wins,not the working class.