NPC Newsmakers: Do Wellness Programs Hurt Workers Who Get Insurance Through Employers?

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Dec 12, 2013, 12:02 ET

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Supporters of the Affordable Care Act have promised that keeping Americans well would lead to lower healthcare costs. But will costs drop for individuals? Wellness programs use a carrot and stick approach. Under new federal rules, beginning next year, workers who do not join wellness programs can face higher out-of-pocket costs. Workers who choose not to participate also may face discrimination by current and future employers for unwillingness to disclose information about their weight, along with exercise, dietary, drinking and drug use habits.

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John Borsos, Secretary-Treasurer of the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), will discuss the pros and cons of wellness programs. He maintains that new wellness policies are already causing discrimination, higher costs to individuals and other problems in the workplace. NUHW represents more than 10,000 healthcare workers including 5,000 workers at Kaiser Permanente. NUHW is an affiliate of the California Nurses Association.

This National Press Club Newsmaker news conference is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at 10 a.m. in the Zenger Room, on the 13^th Floor of the National Press Building at 529 14^th Street, NW 20045.

SOURCE National Press Club