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Price of an unhealthy nation: $18 billion
More evidence that any sport (and preferably cycling 
) has a massive unseen benefit to the economy:
NEARLY 90,000 Australians will suffer a heart attack or serious chest pain this year, costing the economy about $18 billion in lost productivity and treatment, a report says.
...improved diet and exercise regimes and further investment in treatment and rehabilitation were critical in reducing the potential losses to the economy.
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http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22...
rather than encouraging postive examples of healthy activity and investing in infrastructure to widen the attractiveness , the "we're smarter than you" Rudd govt supernerd, is proposing to PAY PEOPLE TO LOSE WEIGHT. What message does this send? ... the govt will look after me ... no self responsibility... aarghh
Yeah, that is just outrageous!
You get financial incentive for gym membership, fitness equipment (hopefully including bikes), etc. only if you are overweight. What message does this send?
We'd all have to pile on the pounds before buying a new bike, to go to the doctor to get the certificate to say we were overweight so we get it cheaper and then drop all the weight again before the next race.
And if you have joined a gym 'cos it's cheap - when you've slimmed down no more discount for you. So how can one keep trim and still afford to go if that discount was the clincher?
Incentives for keeping fit and healthy are a good thing, but they should be for all!
There's a Simpsons episode about this, where Homer qualifies for some sort of govt handout if he hits 300lbs.
Life imitates art?
I think this proposal is outrageous. As you say, Rob, there is every incentive to be fat and none to be healthy and active.
I think they should penalise people who are overweight and subsidise gym and club memberships for those who are healthy and active.
Why doesn't the Government charge a Medicare Levy for overweight people, since they put such pressure on the Health System.
Oh, and charging obese people for 2 seats on transport like trains, airplanes and buses is long overdue.
Grrrr, this sort of stuff makes me angry
STOP EATING!!!!
End rant
Just wondering where you all got the idea that the government was going to start subsidising weight loss programs/costs? I haven't heard anything about that... not that I doubt your words, I'd just like to find out more. If they really do go ahead with such a scheme... well, I'm pissed off just at the thought of it. :\
Colt
EDIT : Sorry, missed the link in the second post. I see where the info came from now. Just a point, but nowhere does it say that the task Force recommended that the scheme be for overweight people. In fact it sounds quite generic. Only the response from a 'darlinghurst resident' has any suggestion that it would be for overweight people only... and it appears to be an assumption.