Congress mulls giving employers more leeway for wellness programs

Congress is considering a series of proposals that would provide tax credits and other subsidies to employers who offer wellness programs that meet federal guidelines  (Source: “Congress Plans Incentives for Healthy Habits,” New York Times, May 10, 2009).

Federal rules currently restrict what employers and insurers can do to incentivize workers for health behavior.

“Prevention and wellness should be a centerpiece of health care reform,” said Sen. Harkin, D-Iowa.

However, not everyone supports wellness programs in the workplace. Lewis Maltby, president of the National Workrights Institute, said, “You are supposed to be paid on the basis of how you do your job, not how often you go to the gym or how many cheeseburgers you eat.”