In Wellness & Fitness News out of Michigan, State Senators of the GOP are renewing efforts to reward individuals for exercising and refusing to smoke, and they claim (rightly in my opinion) that this will eventually drive down health care costs (if not immedietly).

Legislation from state Senator Tom George will potentially charge Medicaid patients less for services if they exercise regularly and do not smoke, plus give state contracting preferences to businesses that have employee wellness programs.
Additional bills could also potentially add the use of cigarettes as a factor in setting health insurance premiums and require elementary schools to offer physical education for thirty minutes a minimum of 2 days per week.

George, a practicing physician from Portage, says unhealthy behaviors are known to account for a staggering quarter of all health care costs!