Some of the largest employers in Springfield stand to benefit from this, including more than 600 employees for Springfield City and 231 full-time employees with Clark State Community College.
“We’ve already started working with Clark State on training,” said Alyce Comer, YMCA membership director. “We’ve been training to learn about the reimbursement program and actively contacting (UHC) employees.”
Comer said the program would be an incentive for smaller companies who cannot afford to give gym discounts, because UHC would pick up the slack.
Comer also said the program was an opportunity to improve the overall health of the Springfield community. A recent Gallup Poll study revealed that Springfield was the worst performer in the country in terms of frequent exercise.
“This is a good thing happening,” Comer said. “There are more people who look at their health and well being, so we can turn it around ... these are challenging times for our community but we have to do something. We have to become more accountable.”
Comer said she once struggled with being overweight, and with Weight Watchers and the YMCA was able to become healthy.
“I had to change my eating habits and way I moved my body and start moving my body, it changed my whole outlook,” Comer said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0371 or emason@coxohio.com.
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