Weight loss

Testing Market-Based Solutions Opponents of these measures argue the mere existence of obesity-related, collective health care costs doesn't mean eating and exercise should fall under the government's purview.

"Third-party payers of medical bills, whether public or private, often collectivize health care and allow some individuals to impose their bad health decisions on the rest of us," said Roman.

"An effective battle against obesity should be fought with personal responsibility in health care, not by government decree," said Indiana state Rep.

David Frizzell (R-Indianapolis), one of 31 Indiana legislators to vote against SB 111, which if signed by Indiana Gov.

Mitch Daniels (R) would limit the amount of junk food and sodas in school vending machines.

Some state legislatures are moving in the direction of personal responsibility-expanding health savings accounts, for example, which allow consumers to self-fund health care expenses and exercise more control over health care decision-making.

Five states-Arkansas, Mississippi, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania-last year passed legislation making HSA contributions tax-free at the state level, and both Florida and Oklahoma have made HSAs an insurance option for state and municipal employees.

Christie Raniszewski Herrera (christie@alec.org) is director of the Health and Human Services Task Force at the American Legislative Exchange Council.

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