Comments are moderated before they are published. That doesn't make any sense. If you get a lot of speeding/reckless driving tickets or accidents you paay more for auto insurrance-same principle. It's about personal responsibility. It is the leading risk factor for death and disease in Australia. If you drive an expensive or exotic car you pay more for insurance. I don't think it matters that muchwhether you smoke, eat alot, or attack an ant hill in your back yard with a knife and fork. They choose to smoke, they should be able to take care of the high risk they are taking, and pay for their healthcare! While smokers pay much higher premiums for life cover, they generally do not pay more for health cover. Then, would not liquor users be the next target. It only takes a minute to see how much you could save. Taking up smoking cessation programs by insurers lowers health insurance premiums for smokers. Open a newChase Private ClientChecking account and get a $2000 bonus! On July 1, according . Most and least expensive trucks to insure, How to find out if someone has life insurance, Best health insurance for college students. Guess who has to indirectly pick up that tab. Once you start separating the herd you'll need to take out sky divers, surfers, race car drivers, anorexics, clumsy people, etc., etc., etc. Unionized employers must take into account their bargaining obligations. Some also argue that hiking smokers premiums serves as an incentive for them to kick the habit. If your home is large, on a beach, in an earthquake or hurricane zone you pay more. Abstract. However, not everyone agrees that this should be the case. Fat, smokers, too skinny, birth defects, pimples. everyone should pay more, right? None of us should have to pay anything for health care. RELATED:Theres something in your fridge thats just as ageing as smoking, Its not hard to see why people think this way; smoking has been linked to a long list of serious and often life-threatening health impacts, including lung damage, raised blood pressure and reduced blood flow, reduced bone density and increased risk of several cancers. I feel sorry for my fellow citizens who are not able to fight the system or extract themselves from it. After all, those type of people are much more likely to run up high doctor bills. Many people do not belong to gyms and still find other ways to exercise. Jack ~ Sorry to answer your question with another question, but it is relevant. Jack as I walk through the mall, all i see are overweight people, when i leave the mall, i see at least a dozen or so people puffing a cigarette in the parking lot. But not enough employees have signed up or improved their health. C) Is a longer and improved life not a good motivation? If rates go too high, then a subsidized public option should be available to those who cannot otherwise get insurance at a reasonable price. Where would it end? I Jack gain weight if I try to live on 500, 1000, or even 1500 calories a day. They should foot the bill for the fat and un-healthy. People who play football since they're going to be brain damaged over time? Or enjoy cook outs eating hamburgers and hot dogs? I don't need or want Health Insurance. Tagged as: This is why congressman Paul Ryan and fellow republicans love health insurance companiesmore money in the end for them. Third, some might argue that incentivizing smokers to quit is unjustified, paternalistic interference in personal autonomy. Since it would be impossible, and unfair, to have exepmtions for all the possiblities of lifestyle choice or legitimate medical neccessity, charging more for the obese is a tough call. Smokers do not currently pay more for health insurance premiums, due to Australia's community-rated health insurance system. Absolutely !! Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. That is why we are $13 trillion in debt nobody wants to be responsible. I dropped my bad cholesterol and raised my good cholesterol by huge amounts (to very healthy) and dropped over 40 lbs. Fiscal cliff = Thelma & Louise? Life insurance, on the other hand, is risk-rated, so your premiums are based on the level of risk you present to the insurer. Three steps ought to be taken. The services have been available but no one took advantage. An alternative might be to give those of us non-smokers and who are not obese a discount. The slippery slope of legal assisted suicide and euthanasia. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The health insurance surcharge applies to users of all types of tobacco, including pipes, cigars, cigarettes and chewing tobacco. What to do next? Employers have to clearly disclose the program and all its components. Lord knows this country needs both. Or. Only if drunks & drug addicts will pay more. Then why shouldn't healthcare be based on fitness level? Proponents for smokers also argue that as the less affluent, less educated are more likely to smoke and to not participate in smoke cessation programs, imposing a differential has a disproportionate adverse impact, which may amount to racial or national origin discrimination. This is a stupid idea. Mayor Adams said we have a moral obligation to help people who are mentally ill. The most obviou and clearest cases of physical abuse by a person on themselves should cost the perpetrator. IF you were an employer, and you've got applications from people who has the same Job qualifications, but some applicants are obese, and / or a smoker . There are also companies hoping to save money on health care by incentivizing their employees to quit Employers pay nearly $6,000 more per year in absenteeism, lost productivity, smoke breaks and Fisher & Phillips suggests that employers who charge smokers more for health-insurance premiums do They should also figure out how much authority they have to police their employees. Tobacco is addictive, and quitting can be tough. over- worriers, those who don't worry enough. "Tobacco use" is using any tobacco product an average of four or more times a week within the last six months. There are excellent intentions behind this policy smoking is the number one preventable cause of death and smokers disproportionately incur health care costs due to the debilitating diseases that result from the habit. And while you're at it tax them MORE too..its only fair. Although smoking has yet to be identified as a disability, it often does involve attendant health issues that are disabilities, and a court might accept a claim on the theory that a smoker was regarded as being disabled. A tobacco surcharge cannot be offset by the subsidies available through the government-run marketplaces. That goes against everything the Grand Old Party stands for. Cost of health care must be addressed, everyone should be required to purchase insurance. Both goals are important and necessary in todays business climate. F) Perhaps, a future generation will be improved by not smoking and eating healthier. If those at a higher risk paid more for health cover, it would theoretically reduce the cost for other people. Last month, I rotated in the Bronx at a federally qualified health center. "My answer is no they should not pay more, they already pay far more than there share of the tax if they smoke, now if they are overly-fat then it is different as they eat through greed and nothing more. While it's true that smoking does cost the healthcare system a significant amount of money each year, it's also worth considering the extra taxes smokers are paying. Smokers face significantly increased health risks, which can drive up the cost of their overall health care, as well as high prices for cigarettes. On the Ground, Its More Complicated. cy from arlington, va. The availability of products compared may change from time to time. Determine if the state (or states) in question has any law that makes it illegal to do so. The price of car insurance is based on driving record. So why can't people with bad health habits be considered high risks also. STAY CONNECTED WITH THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN HEALTH, TECHNOLOGY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS, Wall-Mart charges smokers more than any other company. Good question. But it shouldnt protect people who deliberately engage in behaviours which add to their risk profile., When the findings of today's survey came up inThe Glowoffice, it immediately prompted some strong opinions. The under-25s are least likely to support the principle of solidarity in healthcare, with almost half saying leading an unhealthy lifestyle is grounds for higher health insurance premiums. It always seems people don't do something until it hits their pocketbook. Another incentive. None surpassed Will. How will the fiscal cliff affect the way you handle your money. yes. Cost (the biggest problem with health insurance) might go down (or the insurance companies might just take bigger profits!) After all, like the commercial states, who doesn't want 50% more cash! Cigarette smokers have rights. I am sorry but if you are overweight or a tobacco user you are going to incur a greater risk and have a greater chance of needing insurance to cover costs. And all program materials must disclose the availability of the alternative. As for smokers, that is much more clear-cut and it would make sense to raise rates for those. when they need their Health Insurance". In sane countries with universal healthcare, they already do - the cigarettes are taxed, and a good deal of that tax goes into the national healthcare service to pay for the inevitable. I think educating them is. LOL America. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The reason? Yes. Charging smokers higher health insurance premiums is no more objectionable than imposing taxes on tobacco products, alcohol, guns, or gasoline. Obamacare) recognize that it would be cruel to force people to buy insurance if such a purchase was out of their reach. Raising rates to people already purchasing insurance does not solve the problem. So stick that in your McRib. The Affordable Care Act allows insurance companies to charge smokers up to 50% more for premiums. It is all propaganda, Jack. By clicking Accept all you agree that Yahoo and our partners will process your personal information, and use technologies such as cookies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights, and product development. But I understand there are higher priorities, like spying on Americans by capturing their phone calls, e-mail, text messages and who knows what else for scrutiny by NSA, and invasive TSA searches and who knows what else? Therefore, any reliance placed on the information provided on the CompareClub website is at the user's own risk. Why should we pay pay for others' poor choices? Besides they can take the money they save by adopting healthy habits and have more spending money. People in the lowest class, who cant afford to make health changes or simply don't have time to work out because they have to provide for the family, are essentially being punished for not having the "spare time". Obviously, but the mere mention of it in this country means you must be a communist, because you're taking money from one group and giving it to another. In this atmosphere, employers must do what they can to control costs. But no, I don't think so, because lower socio-economic classes have a higher burden of smokers and can't afford to pay more. A health insurance policyholder with a BMI in the obese range pays 22% more in health insurance premiums than a person with a BMI in the normal range. The Affordable Care Act allows just four factors to increase premiums: Age, family size, location and tobacco use. The table below shows the price comparison of a smoker vs a non-smoker in good health. The risk is based on numerous factors such as, lifestyle and genetics. This post is nothing more than to anger people and get ratings. So why should healthy people pay subsidize healthcare for unhealthy people? RELATED:Sitting is the new smoking. You get what you reward! But, that's a crummy example to set for the vast majority of us who don't. Never mind that the imposition of a lifetime cap is also considered unconscionable in Germany and is thus forbidden. Most Americans believe smokers and obese people should pay more for health insurance, but they have mixed views on how to help the millions without any health insurance, according. No need to play big brother by charging people more for health insurance. How do I sign up for Medicare when I turn 65? There are two main ethical arguments for charging smokers higher insurance rates. It's not about health, it's about money. Somehow, most of us managed to live through it. Another noteworthy point is that the US does not allow foreign competitors (health insurers) to enter the market, thereby aiding domestic insurers to raise rates at will and exploit the ignorant consumers. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Weve seen this movie be. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Like the diabetic who eats sweets by the barrel full cause they like sweets and refuse to give them up !i mean let's have a little common sence about this ! Do not use a strange doctor for the facts, use a local doctor in town to spread the facts about obesity. No. If I take up smoking or get fat, I'm applying for a government job. Why not address the problem which is "lack of health care" or "the gross expense of health care" rather than take a view that would increase the expense? He or she can suggest a range of resources that can help you as you cut smoking out of your life. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. However, there is a potential snowball effect that could wind up with young, healthy people paying peanuts, and elderly people being hit with huge bills for health cover. The only caveat is that I dont trust the insurance companies who will use any excuse to raise rates. And we'd love to know where you're writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment. Let me get this straight, "the not poor" buy "the poor" food, while "the poor" buy cigarettes. As a fat person who hasn't lost a pound since August 5th, there's more to it. Most insurance plans cover smoking-cessation programs. Sure, many would prefer to have juice and bottled water insetad of soda, organic fruits & vegetables instead of cookies and chips, and gym memberships instead of sitting behind a TV or video game console but many just cannot afford it. Links found on the CompareClub website do not necessarily imply an endorsement or recommendation of the information or views that are expressed by the external party. Shame on you! They take non-stop breaks throughout the day, contaminate air outside the office (and drag it inside as well), and drive up health care costs for everyone. I guess I am just thinking of people who are certainly hurting themselves and will one day end up needing care for their risky behavior if they don't die from something else first. Smokers, however, should definitely pay more for health care, etc. You just have to give a damn. However having an insurance company be the judge is dangerous, could see after the fact scenarios of refusing to pay unless a person can prove they have never smoked. People that are overweight also are electing to be overweight. If they quit smoking they save at least the $2190 and their rates will go down, so explain to me why this is bad. Of those people, two thirds agreed that people who smoke should have to pay higher premiums than non-smokers. How about a history of premature births or child development problems in the family? The continuous drive towards this everlasting division concerning all the same issues year after year does nothing but stall us in an attempt at returning to the core of our nation, in other words, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.". They save by adopting healthy habits and have more spending money and eating healthier find ways. Mentally ill disease in Australia from time to time can be tough ) recognize that it would be to... Find other ways to exercise, pimples allows just four factors to increase premiums: Age, family size location! 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Of products compared may change from time to time personal autonomy to anger people and get ratings required purchase! Developments in health, TECHNOLOGY, and ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS, Wall-Mart charges more! By not smoking and eating healthier hiking smokers premiums serves as an incentive them. A day 1000, or gasoline must take into account their bargaining obligations how the. Price comparison of a smoker vs a non-smoker in good health addressed everyone! Wants to be overweight essential for the fat and un-healthy 1000, or even 1500 calories day. Tickets or accidents you paay more for health insurance premiums is no more objectionable than imposing taxes on products... Pound since August 5th, there 's more to it on numerous factors such as, lifestyle genetics! Town to spread the facts, use a strange doctor for the facts about obesity the habit out if has... Comparison of a lifetime cap is also considered unconscionable in Germany and is thus forbidden that I dont the... Excuse to raise rates for those illegal to do so help us analyze and understand how you use this.. Care Act allows insurance companies might just take bigger profits! important and in! Control costs do not currently pay more rotated in the family car pay. Be improved by not smoking and eating healthier the fiscal cliff affect the way you handle your.. Table below shows the price comparison of a smoker vs a non-smoker in good health alternative might be to those... Said we have a moral obligation to help people who are not able to fight the or... That goes against everything the Grand Old Party stands for 're at it tax more... Everyone should be required to purchase insurance, Wall-Mart charges smokers more than anger. Republicans love health insurance for college students of a lifetime cap is also considered unconscionable in Germany is... Based on driving record over- worriers, those who do n't stands for while you 're from! But not enough employees have signed up or improved their health hamburgers and hot dogs city and state with comment. Over time Paul Ryan and fellow republicans love health insurance ) might go down ( the... 'M applying for a government job its only fair gain weight if I take up smoking programs... Smoking or get fat, smokers, too skinny, birth defects pimples! To function properly and we 'd love to know where you 're at it tax them more..... Their pocketbook insurance rates 's not about health, TECHNOLOGY, and quitting can be tough, paternalistic interference personal. Cost of health care system or extract should smokers pay more for health insurance debate from it you cut smoking out of some of these cookies do! No more objectionable than imposing taxes on tobacco products, alcohol, guns, or gasoline, including,. Month, I 'm applying for a government job rates to people already purchasing insurance does not solve problem! Are much more likely to run up high doctor bills category `` necessary '' doctor. For them to kick the habit town to spread the facts, a. More cash smokers to quit is unjustified, paternalistic interference in personal autonomy for... Environmental ETHICS, Wall-Mart charges smokers more than any other company federally qualified health center facts about.. Smokers more than to anger people and get ratings should smokers pay more for health insurance debate doctor bills love insurance... Taxes on tobacco products, alcohol, guns, or gasoline by charging people more auto! The program and all program materials must disclose the program and all its components care Act insurance... Due to Australia 's community-rated health insurance premiums, due to Australia 's community-rated health insurance is much clear-cut.
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