The Health Police are Coming

[ATeam]

Most EO Open Forum members have at least heard talk about how medical standards for truck drivers may change. This news story, "CVS Pharmacy Wants Worker's Health Information, or They'll Pay a Fine," is not about truckers but it illustrates a developing trend.

People in power are increasingly seeing it as acceptable to use that power to regulate your body. Another example is New York City's rule that limits the size of certain soft drinks that can be sold.

In this domain, it's not about truckers alone. It seems that obesity is the new smoking, and if you are seriously overweight, you are going to be regulated out of places and activities that you used to enjoy. That may well include the freedom to drive a truck.

I hate this kind of regulatory approach as much as anyone but do not know how to stop it. Just as the FMCSA is changing things for the worse for drivers, and CARB is making it many, many thousands of dollars more expensive to own and operate a truck, a body of health police is developing. They are crossing new lines that degrade personal freedom but do not care.

This is not a rant against the politics that are making this possible. It is a warning to truck drivers and trucker wannabees who are overweight. The trend is developing. The evidence is clear. The health police are coming, and if you are overweight, they're coming for you.

Trucking is a highly regulated and easily regulated industry. Before you commit yourself to a career change into trucking, be aware that obesity may drive you out after you begin, maybe before if carriers jump on the bandwagon.

It is very difficult for most drivers to develop and maintain habits that keep you healthy on the road. But it will be wise to do so if you are overweight; because the health police are coming.

 

[Ragman]

I guess now is a good time to join that fitness club.

 

[ATeam]

I guess now is a good time to join that fitness club.

Maybe, but that's not the point of my post. There are lots of ways to lose weight without joining a fitness club. For overweight truckers, it may soon become essential to lose that weight.

 

[moose]

I hate this kind of regulatory approach as much as anyone but do not know how to stop it.

Get on the, or communicate with the FMCSA health advisory committee.
did so in the past, have no rezone to believe it made any different, but via OOIDA i got the connection to a trucker who seat on the board.
point i was making @ the time is the acceptance of encouragement and the diss-acceptance of mandating.

 

[guido4475]

Maybe, but that's not the point of my post. There are lots of ways to lose weight without joining a fitness club. For overweight truckers, it may soon become essential to lose that weight.

I was on a diet a month ago, losing 8 pounds at that point. I got sick around then. Figuring it may be good to hold off on what I was taking until I got better. So, a month later, I gained that weight back....but still not feeling 100% at this time, and if it doesnt improve by this weekend, I will go back to the doctor. I did, however, start to use a butter substitute called Molly Mc butter today. Not bad.And seeing how I use more butter than I should to begin with, this will be a good start to a diet.I know this is going to be a long and difficult road. I have never, ever been this heavy in my life. I have no one to blame except myself, not trucking. We have way too much time and freedom to get in shape, especially in a van. It's not how much I eat, because I may surprise you at how little I do eat. But I think it is what I eat, and when, and the complete absence of any excercise. I know when I was home for the last 2-3 week period the first few days were a physical living hell.Being as how I like to stay busy doing things out and inside the house. But as time went on, everything was easier to do, and at the end of that 2-3 week period, I felt great, and can actually feel the difference.So if you are a praying person, please pray that I can make a positive go of this. I need to do something before I am 6 feet under.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

imagine world champion body builders would be ineligible to drive a truck if they used the BMI index...
some of the in best shape athletes would be disqualified....my Dr. is against using BMI at all....it doesn't work....

 

[ATeam]

imagine world champion body builders would be ineligible to drive a truck if they used the BMI index...
some of the in best shape athletes would be disqualified....my Dr. is against using BMI at all....it doesn't work....

That's all true, but I don't see a lot of world champion body builders and best-shape athletes lining up to be truck drivers. This is not about them. This is about government entities, insurance companies and employers increasing their control over your body and, if you are overweight, threatening your ability to earn a living by driving a truck.

When a large employer like CVS Pharmacy requires every one of its nearly 200,000 employees who use its health plan to submit their weight, body fat, glucose levels and other vitals or pay a monthly fine, and when they are getting away with it, a troubling trend is clearly developing.

This is not like a drug test where all you have to do to pass it is don't use drugs. It's not like a driving test where you pass it by demonstrating to the inspector one time your ability to drive a truck on a given course. It's not like smoking regulations where you can still smoke if you wish, but have to go someplace else to do it. This is putting your weight, body fat, glucose levels and other vitals statistics on file, or pay a fine if you do not.

Government already is involved with millions of health care claims. Obamacare will increase that number by millions more. It will be a very short step of regulatory reasoning to say that it is in the nation's best interest and taxpayer interest to adopt regulations that promote good health. And in this day of technology and databases, what better way to do so than put on file the most personal statistics of every citizen, or at least as many citizens as possible, and then to use that data for "good" regulatory purposes.

Employers want to save as much money as they can on the health care plans they offer their employees. One of the reasons, if not the main reason, it is so difficult now for an expereinced and wise 50 year-old to do well in the job market is the increased health care costs 50 year-olds have that 30 year-olds do not.

The politics of all this is a conversation for the soap box. The reality of it is that if you are overweight, the government, insurance companies and employers are placing you in their crosshairs and they intend to purge either the fat off your body or you off their roles.

Again, this is not something as straightforward as a drug test or driving test. By regulating things like body fat and glucose levels, they are regulating your food and activity choices, and there is no end to it. You can't end the scrutiny by passing a test or quitting smoking. They will be looking at your numbers on an ongoing basis. And you can be absolutely certain that companies with political power will be injecting themselves and their money-making products and services into the regs; all in the name of good health for America and its citizens.

Powerful forces are lining up behind this developing trend and there is no way to stop it that I see. When I was a boy, I heard from adults that fat people were jolly. Boys and girls these days are being taught that fat people are in poor health and at risk. There is a developing view of overweight people that is not favorable and will become discriminatory if it has not already.

Of course it is a good idea to be healthy and fit. That has always been the case. What's new is the social view that fat people are bad people; bad to hire, bad to insure, bad because they lack what it takes to be healthy and fit. And that view is prompting regulatory impulses to save the world by saving these people from themselves.

It makes me very sad that America has come to this, but it has. And if you want to be a truck driver in the future, it is wise to read the writing on the wall today.

This is not about athletes and questionable statistics. This is about you. And the short story for you is that if you are obese, your freedom to work as a truck driver may soon be threatened if it is not already.

 

[BobWolf]

As far as our government and multinational companies are concerned the rules are simple. 1) YOU WILL COMPLY AT WILL OR BY FORCE. 2) RESISTANCE IS FUTILE.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

you truck drivers showed many years ago you are all blow and no go...you deserve everything you get....you have no balls to stand up to the government, too bad....

 

[zorry]

you truck drivers showed many years ago you are all blow and no go...you deserve everything you get....you have no balls to stand up to the government, too bad....

You truck drivers or We truck drivers ?

 

[OntarioVanMan]

You truck drivers or We truck drivers ?

if it applies to you....it doesn't to me...anymore...won't for ATeam much longer either

drivers have for years let government stomp on them...they should have shut down NYC or the whole eastcoast for that matter...but they are too independent and willing to screw each other for a load...as they screwed themselves into what we see today.

 

[zorry]

I read it as a general term.
Is Phil's retiring from trucking "Standing up to the government " ?
What act of defiance have you pulled off recently ?
Not trying to be antagonistic , just trying to understand your comment .

 

[paullud]

you truck drivers showed many years ago you are all blow and no go...you deserve everything you get....you have no balls to stand up to the government, too bad....

Exactly, I'm hoping more start waking up. Unfortunately your statement applies to the entire country as well.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Exactly, I'm hoping more start waking up. Unfortunately your statement applies to the entire country as well.

Yes..just about every issue that has come to this point....is in the same shape....

where are the MASS protests?...you all talk about sacrifices, giving your all....LOL....you don't even stand up to the people YOU elected...sheeple...

 

[zorry]

With future health costs hiring unhealthy people is less desirable
When working for SNBC I knew a guy driving for an O/O. He recently passed a DOT physical. He then had a falling out with the fleet owner and hired on to drive a SNBC company truck.
The surprised him by calling him in for a new physical. He failed and was placed out of work.
The company had more stringent medical guidelines for those that fell under their workman's comp.
This was way back in 1988 !.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

With future health costs hiring unhealthy people is less desirable
When working for SNBC I knew a guy driving for an O/O. He recently passed a DOT physical. He then had a falling out with the fleet owner and hired on to drive a SNBC company truck.
The surprised him by calling him in for a new physical. He failed and was placed out of work.
The company had more stringent medical guidelines for those that fell under their workman's comp.
This was way back in 1988 !.

I don't know what can be done with private companies wanting in better shape employees...probably nothing...the image of the fat driver maybe coming to an end...

I mean ever see a fat airline pilot?....maybe it IS a change for the better...

 

[zorry]

Actually had a very overweight pilot in Feb. He flew for a small carrier that subbed to a large carrier.
He looked like Louie Anderson. It made me uncomfortable.
My fear may have been unfounded. He could be healthier than me.

 

[paullud]

Actually had a very overweight pilot in Feb. He flew for a small carrier that subbed to a large carrier.
He looked like Louie Anderson. It made me uncomfortable.
My fear may have been unfounded. He could be healthier than me.

It is odd that we embrace and even promote intolerance of a group of people based on statistics but if we base our views based on another group based on statistics we are then racist. I wish the PC babies would come up with a pamphlet telling us all when intolerance and prejudice is fine or when it will cause them to attack. I'm fat and in my mid 30's but my blood pressure was 112/85, no family history of heart disease or diabetes, but a lot of overweight people. My family lives into their late 70's and late 80's depending on which side you look at.

 

[zorry]

I said I may have judged him unfairly.
But then isn't he putting more stress on his organs, bones,etc that would preclude him from really being healthy ?

I honestly don't know. I'm not trained medically.

I too, am overweight.

 

[davekc]

Health police are already here. As mentioned, look at the commercial airline industry. A stewardess has to be a certain height and weight. Or, they say "must be physically fit". The latter of course is open to interpretation.
More of a soapbox subject, but most if rejected for health reasons will likely go on permanant disability and the taxpayer will foot the bill.