MarketWatch: Financial penalties for the unhealthy? Ethical guidelines for holding employees responsible for their health

Steven D. Pearson, Sarah R. Lieber

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

As health care costs continue to rise, an increasing number of self-insured employers are using financial rewards or penalties to promote healthy behavior and control costs. These incentive programs have triggered a backlash from those concerned that holding employees responsible for their health, particularly through the use of penalties, violates individual liberties and discriminates against the unhealthy. This paper offers an ethical analysis of employee health incentive programs and presents an argument for a set of conditions under which penalties can be used in an ethical and responsible way to contain health care costs and encourage healthy behavior among employees.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)845-852
Number of pages8
JournalHealth Affairs
Volume28
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2009
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health Policy

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