Arizona Governor Shows Bias Against Poorest in State!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) April 7, 2011 -- NAAFA is appalled at the latest proposal coming from Arizona’s “notorious” governor. This time she wants to lay the burden of balancing Arizona’s budget on the poorest residents in the state.

Gov. Jan Brewer has now proposed levying a $50 fee on state Medicaid recipients who are obese and don't follow a doctor-supervised slimming regimen. She also wants to charge those who smoke.

The people, who will save the state of Arizona, are the poorest residents. If you earn less than $15,000 per year for a two-person family, you will be taxed for consuming what she considers too many calories or for smoking. The proposal is said to be a way to reward good behavior and raise awareness that certain conditions, including obesity, raise costs throughout the state Medicaid system.

A 2010 study of caloric intake in a large, nationwide population of children and adolescents revealed the surprising finding that those who are clinically overweight and obese consume fewer calories than their “healthy weight” counterparts, beginning at around seven years of age.

A paper published in the January issue of Nutrition Journal cites overwhelming evidence that focusing on weight loss as the only route to achieve a healthy life style is ineffective and harmful. .

NAAFA insists that Gov. Brewer withdraw her proposal. NAAFA urges the residents of Arizona to take action by writing to your state officials and insisting that this clearly biased proposal be stopped. Find their contact information at: http://www.azleg.gov/MemberRoster.asp

Founded in 1969, NAAFA is a non-profit human rights organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for fat people. NAAFA works to eliminate discrimination based on body size and provide fat people with the tools for self-empowerment through public education, advocacy, and member support.

On the web: http://www.naafa.org

For more information contact:
Peggy Howell, Public Relations Director
National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA)
e-mail: pr@naafaonline.com phone: (707)246-6116

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