What's next? Monitors in the lunch room scrutinizing meals, crossing guards in every parking lot, shoe sole inspection during slippery conditions, volcano insurance? (we're due)

Is this a set up for Obamacare? Or just gross discrimination against certain groups in our population? Why not just say pre-existing conditions will not be tolerated or if subscribers are not thrown off the roles, severely penalized?

CVS's stand on this, to me is disgusting... and I shop there regularly. CVS has become a bully. They bully Rhode Island into giving them tax breaks by threatening to pull out of RI leaving taking many jobs with them. How callous. RI has the highest unemployment rate in the nation.

Discrimination of any kind for any reasons should not be tolerated.

CVS, you have gone too far in favor of the 'bottom line.'

Maybe the employees are consuming too much of the candy, sodas, and processed foods CVS stocks on its shelves. A better approach might be for CVS to give employees gift certificates to natural foods stores, farmer's markets, and gyms. Oh, and they could stop selling cigarettes.

Most companies today are doing this. My company has had a Wellness program for 3 years. If you don't want to participate, just pay the premium.

How is it different from auto insurance? If you get too many tickets or too many accidents, your premiums go up.

Let's face it, obesity is a bad thing and only increases health care costs. The fat person's cost increases the insurer's costs and that is passed onto the company the subsequent year when they review the policy for renewal. And then ALL employees have to pay for the obesity when rates go up.

They do it at my work. If you don't like it pay a higher premium or find a new job.

HJ. If you were concerned about costs you would also agree that illegal’s that frequent emergency rooms for common ailments should be banned unless they hand over payment in advance. If you agree with this, then I agree with you! And If they are going to screen for body mass then they need to screen for liver issues for the closet drinkers, do full cardio workups on everyone, screen and test for smokers, full x-ray and MRI on everyone. Oh yeah, let us not forget screening for potential anorexia victims. If the body fat is too low then screen for dental issues and tracheal signs of chronic vomiting and full blood work showing no deficiencies in iron levels. I am not being sarcastic. If you are going to do one then everyone has to play. If not they need to change the policy.

A better plan would be to increase health insurance rates and give those of us that DO strive to take care of our "metrics" a nice rebate. So, rather than punishing the "unhealthy" metrics, the system would be positive and reward those that are healthy and adoptive of healthy life styles. And yes, CVS should be ashamed-junk food and cigarettes are great for sales but..how hypocritical. Hello Walgreens!

For many years, some insurance groups like Blue Cross, Harvard Pilgrim etc. offered (and still offer) the enticement of $150 or so to become a member of a legitimate gym, and even more if you can prove to be in a weight-reduction program. I can understand enticements. I take advantage of one of these enticements. But demanding personal information like weight, BMI, glucose levels is a step too far.

I agree with Todd, that if we are going to target one group why not all groups. There are many illnesses that contribute to the high cost of medicine such as heart disease, cancer of all types, diabetes, etc., and there is a lot of reckless behavior.

CVS isn't the only game in town. Maybe it is time to take my business elsewhere.

Watch Forks Over Knives: http://www.hulu.com/watch/279734?src=sem-plus-google&cmp=507&gclid=CPq7wJ230rQCFYqZ4Aod-RsALw Health costs could be reduced an estimated 50-80% if Americans went to a plant-based diet. Offer a 25% or more reduction in health insurance premiums for those who change to a plant-based diet.

Presumably physicians would need to be involved. Just trying to suggest that it's in everyone's interest to have a healthier country and lower healthcare costs. Incentives are better than punishment. Watch the movie. A whole fire department switched their diet. It works better as a team than trying to go it alone.

Maybe they should get rid of the drive-thru and make people get out and walk :) Unless they have an H placard---in that case, CVS probably would alos want a doctor's note!

Dave: Do watch the movie. I thought it was crazy when my brother, a tree surgeon, and his wife switched their diet 3 years ago. I thought they were nuts. Then I watched the movie and saw people who had reversed diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. A friend from Texas visited a few weeks ago and I mentioned this diet. She told me her husband had a triple by-pass last year, not because of a heart attack but because of clogged arteries. His doctor ordered him to switch to a plant-based diet. They both love it, lost weight and feel healthier. Nobody's mandating it, but it is a choice and saves money at the supermarket, the pharmacy and the doctor's office. My dog is enjoying the chicken I had in the freezer and also likes the leftover potato and yellow split pea curry. But she leaves the green peas in the bottom of her bowl, even if I mash them -- just like a kid. You razz me so much, and here I am suggesting a way to a healthier life so you can keep on razzing me.

Carol, I try not to focus on you but your blogs are absurd! When the talk was topic was about peaceful societies you directed us to cultures that wear grass skirts. I do believe your intent is good but we all know about the road paved with good intent. I agree about boycotting CVS. And I do have Asthma meds (never smoked) I need that I get from CVS. But as for a pharmacy they are always accurate on scripts. Somebody direct me to another pharmacy they trust. I will be happy to give them a try! Another Idea would be for Insurance companies to offer rebates for each year they don't get wacked with major bills from someone. But what about accidents . One day in the ER is about $10k. that is a hard balancing act.

The private sector can require just about anything, it's your choice to take the position or not. Just because they sell candy (and tobacco) doesn't mean that employees should consume them. I think we're talking about obesity here, which is the number one cause of diabetes in this country. I agree, something must be done, I just don't think its this simple. People eat for many reasons, obesity is not always just about overeating, there many underlying causes, i.e., depression/anxiety, hypothyroidism, lack of access to healthier foods, etc. You can't simply fine someone without providing the option of assistance and intervention to resolve the underlying cause.

I have worked for companies that do this? I seriously doubt that the employees are forking this info over to their supervisors. More than likely they are getting screened by employees from the insurance company that come into the workplace and do it. It's takes all of 5 minutes. Consider that fact that many people do not bother going to the doctors at all until they begin experiences symptoms of some disease. That can be costly to everyone. If someone learns they have a bad BMI or poor glucose levels early, steps can be taken to address the problem early, before it becomes costly to the insurance company, or dangerous to the employee.

What do you think the federal government is going to do once we get a national health care system? HELLO!!!!

CVS heads to Brazil.

Article at:

http://www.drugchannels.net/2012/cvs-is-going-to-brazil.html

Tina: Yes, there are riskier behaviors. Having sex, for instance. Not only are participants at risk for STD's, they may produce a child. A child is a costly burden on the system. Maybe there should be a surcharge on unprotected women of childbearing age.
Children having children is a burden on the system. Maybe we need a fine on parents whose children produce children. Better yet, how about mandatory birth control for unmarried women during their reproductive years.

BTW, where are all the pro-choice people on this?
Besides paul, I haven't heard a peep.

this thread keeps getting off track as everyone adds their pet peeves.
It's the 'kitchen sink' approach. Throw every thing in at once and never question
the legality of these requirements. Insurance companies run this country's healthcare, they and the pharmaceutical companies.

If CVS can do it, what's to stop other employers? Next, you'll have to self-report if you have a diabetes or heart disease history. I can see asking potential employees if they smoke (how awful is it to walk by sales clerks smoking and get enveloped in that stench). But this is the tendency. Right to privacy groups are sounding the alarm lest you have to submit your DNA profile in the future.

In addition to this CVS just slashed their employee health care benefits. Employees must meet a $10,000 deductable for hosiptal care. All Dr. wellness and cronic medical condition visits have been cut from insurance and must be paid out of pocket. The only reason any employer requests such personal information is so that they can see a reduction in rates from the insurance company who is asking for this information. It all comes down to corporate greed, both for CVS and their insurance providers.

The "'corporate greed" stuff does not fly. Thsi country was built on capitalism. CVZ has the right to make as much money as it can. I agree they are horrible employers from what I can see. But as one post said they are employees at will. Nobody forcing them to stay at the job. i am so tired of hearing how the rich corporations are evil. Think about this:Does anybody every talk about how much movie stars make. No. If Brad Pit gets paid $100 million for a ten minute appearance in a movie and the movie sucks does that make him evil. Personaaly I just wont go to see the movie. So just don't shop at CVS if you feel that much sense of morality. As for the evil Rich. I myself strive to be one of them someday.

Exactly my point. If you don't like what's being served then find somewhere else that you do. CVS I'm sure is spinning this to appear as though they are concerned about the health and welfare of their employees.....they are NOT! The reason they are doing this is good old fashioned greed. The goal is simple minimize cost to maximize profits to keep the shareholders happy, without digging into their reservoirs. This will accomplish just that plus the added bonus of looking like they are socially conscious.

Interesting JWM, It appears we crashed the conversation for now. Damn us greedy capitalist!