A Healthy Incentive

Over one third of Americans are obese, and nearly another third is overweight. Though the numbers—and waistlines—have been growing for years, the federal government is finally taking steps to solve America’s health problem. Along with other measures to revamp our nation’s healthcare system, Congress is planning to offer tax-credits and other subsidies to employers who reward their employees for healthy behavior. Lawmakers want to make it easier for businesses to encourage their employees to quit smoking, head to the gym, keep a better diet, and lose weight, a plan which does not seem to have any detriments. Such measures by Congress will benefit all Americans, helping people to become happier and healthier.

When employees are unhealthy, the damage extends beyond their diminished contribution to the work place—felt through numerous sick days or inability to complete tasks—to a hindrance on the American healthcare system. For this reason, subsidizing programs that encourage healthful choices will ultimately benefit the U.S. A healthier labor force is both more productive and less draining on the health care system as a whole.

Though we fully support government subsidies for employers who spur their employees to healthful action, we hope that all programs sponsored by the government will be bonuses for those who make healthful decisions rather than penalties for those who do not. While we wish that all Americans would choose to follow a well-balanced diet, we do not think it is acceptable for employers to punish employees who reach for a cookie rather than an apple. Hopefully, the incentive of a free gym membership or some extra money for quitting smoking will be impetus enough for employees to make healthful choices, without the threat of a punishment should they not.

Moreover, we recognize the potential for confusion following this plan. As such, CDC experts should be the ones to determine objective guidelines for what constitutes a health-conscious decision and what does not. Experts should design programs with concrete standards in place and publish guidelines stating what exactly composes an activity that is acceptable to incentivize, in order to avoid abuse by businesses. Additionally, we hope that Congress takes measures to offset the increased complexity of the tax code, and the difficulty workers will face when trying to figure out whether a free gym-membership, for example, must be accounted for in their income tax returns.

All in all, we view this legislation as a small step at the beginning of a longer-term goal to increase the overall health of Americans. Congress must proceed cautiously to ensure that employees are motivated to get into shape in a way that is both fair and beneficial to the nation as a whole. Surely the obesity epidemic cannot be stopped overnight, but encouraging employees to get on the Stairmaster is a small step toward that end.