MOUNT VERNON — Little was on the agenda for the final meeting of 2011 with the Knox County Board of Health on Wednesday evening.
Knox County Health Commissioner Julie Miller announced that levy campaign chairwoman Pat Tuttle is planning a committee meeting in January where a recommendation may be decided on what direction the board should be pursuing for an upcoming levy. Miller is also working on a report on why the health department may need increased milage in levy options.
Miller announced the new iHealth Wellness Program, in which the county commissioners have elected to participate. Its goal is to encourage healthier lifestyles, increase awareness of personal health and help prevent long-term complications from unmanaged health conditions for county employees participating in the county medical insurance. Employees are to receive a Wellness Guide explaining what is required by each individual in the way of body mass index, blood work, blood pressure, etc. If these requirements are not met, the employee would pay an additional 12 percent in premiums the following year. Board president Lee Rhoades expressed his opposition to this program. Miller expressed her concerns as well and stated she will be speaking more with the commissioners on the matter.
Both Rhoades and Miller are concerned that the program would punish employees rather than encourage better lifestyle choices.
