Overweight is definitely, definitely a problem issue for a lot of people, me being one of them.

Those extra pounds add up to health care cost. State officials say that the leading causes of preventable death are tobacco use, lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet. There has been a shift upward in terms of the percentage of members who have signs of disease. Starting in July of next year, the state will put those tar-heeler employees who smoke on a PPO basic 70-30 plan. In July of 2011, those who have a body mass index of 40 or more will be put on the same limited coverage too.

I understand that no one likes to be singled out; however, that is willfully choosing ill health.

Most people agree with the penalties for smokers. A lot of companies have already started instituting similar policies. It's the plan for obese-state employees that has everyone talking.

I honestly think that is completely ridiculous, that, um, to charge somebody more for their weight, I don't see what that's even constitutional, to be honest.
You need to take many different things into consideration for that it could be, um, just an illness.

The States have preventable diseases, like diabetes and heart disease, increase health care cost astronomically.

These conditions that we are both seeing on now, um, are too, um, that have some the greatest impact on cost of health care.

The State believes giving folks an incentive to stop smoking and lose weight will not only save their lives, but also the tax-payer money.

In Ashville, Charu Kumarhia, News 13.