It Pays To Take Care Of Yourself: New Incentive Programs For Good Behaviour

We are all looking for a nice place to live. From scenic neighborhoods to paved roads, modern shopping centers, as well as a healthy and safe environment to raise our families in, is what we WANT. Still, for many this luxury may not be one they can afford. But now, that all may change.

Mayor Bloomberg is proposing that financially challenged individuals and families should be encouraged to do the right thing, by being rewarded for doing it, and aht includes staying in school and making regular doctor’s appointments, among other things.

The idea stemmed from the success of other such programs such as Brazil and Mexico. And, while it did not entirely receive a warm welcome, officials did suggest instead finding creative ways to assist the 1.5 million people living in poverty pull themselves out.

Those involved in the commission suggest that those who are locked in a cycle of poverty and financial struggle may be lagging in vacations, rest, relaxation and taking care of themselves and their health, including regular doctor visits and checkups which may result in poor health and a struggle to hold onto jobs.

Furthermore, they suggest that offering some reasonable rewards will encourage poorer individuals and families to break bad habits or detrimental habits, making it more “obvious” to show them that they too can realize the “American Dream” and that the odds are NOT (always or necessarily) against them.

According to officials the cash rewards would not come from government funds but rather from privately raised monies starting with about $24 million allocated for such programs that support good behaviour in education and health care.