U.S. employers can reward workers with as much 30 percent of thecost of their health insurance benefits in return for participationin programs to monitor weight, cholesterol, and other “wellness”measures, the Obama administration said Thursday.

Honeywell International Inc., for example, has given employeesincentives worth as much as US$3,500 to track health measures likebody mass index and heart health.

Many other employers have similar programs, though there has been debate over how far they can go. While thePatient Protection and Affordable Care Act allowed employers toincrease financial incentives for employee participation, the EqualEmployment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) under President BarackObama has sued companies, including Honeywell, arguing that theyviolated the Americans with Disabilities Act.