Lose it or pay

Alabama state employees have a year to start getting in shape. If they don't, they'll have to start paying $25 a month toward their health-insurance premiums. They now get such insurance free.

That's not much to ask, really. Many Americans would love to pay only $25 a month for health insurance. But some Alabama workers are feeling picked upon.

They shouldn't. Whether through health screenings, wellness programs or just prodding people to eat right and exercise, incentives to take better care of yourself are the wave of the future. As medical expenses go through the roof, employers are desperate to slow the increase.

Higher costs mean consumers pay more for products and services. Higher insurance premiums mean fewer employers can offer health-insurance coverage. Giving workers an incentive to live a healthful lifestyle - earning a reward or the threat of paying a penalty - benefits everyone by holding costs in check.

People still remain free to choose how they live their lives, but all choices have consequences. Alabama isn't telling everyone they have to look like Michael Phelps; some cushion is built into the weight standards. The state just wants people to work toward a healthier weight.

Being overweight - just like smoking, which Alabama already charges extra for - increases one's risk for health problems.

Insurance is sharing risk. When everyone in the insurance pool has the same risk, everyone should pay the same amount. When some people take on unnecessary risk, it's not fair to the other people in the pool to make them shoulder the extra costs that risk entails.