SA To Penalize City Employees Refusing Health Screening

The City of San Angelo cannot legally require its employees to participate in the city's new wellness program and many are refusing to do so. But the city CAN penalize those who don't. At issue is the city's health insurance plan, which it self-funds, and efforts to control rising costs and premiums. San Angelo Resources Director Lisa Marley says around 850 city employees are covered by the health insurance program. Of that number, she says only about 500 have completed a Health Risk Assessment questionnaire -- and only half of them have done a health screening that involves drawing blood and measuring the waistline. City employees reportedly saying they fear the city might use negative health information against them, something city leaders say they not only wouldn't do but cannot do by law.The large number of non-participators puts health insurance cost controls at risk. The City Council this morning unanimously agreed to charge employees who refuse to participate in the program up to twenty percent of their individual premiums.