No because they aren't going to lower the rates for those that aren't overweight and don't smoke..The rates are created for all by taking into consideration the overweight and the smokers..just like they take into consideration the chance of developing cancer.I grew up about the time a cure for polio was discoveredI don't remember the big refund check from the insurance companies when that threat was eliminated.Insurance companies are just looking to take in more bucks but those that aren't a problem will still pay the same high rates. The slippery slope of legal assisted suicide and euthanasia. thank yu. Though its name has origins on the playground, bullying is a very real (and risky) concern in the workplace. Comments are moderated before they are published. Rewarding criminals and people who have no will to be responsible for their lives is what is destroying our Country! If these groups can't absorb the increased costs, the let the grand champions of individual freedom and responsibility, the Republican and Tea Parties, pay for it since they don't want the government doing it through health care reform, and not being in either group I don't want to pay higher rates to cover those costs. I don't think making them pay more is the answer though. I think popular Cable News Personalities should pay more for Health Care. If I chose to remain fat by following an unhealthy lifestyle then I should pay the cost for the consequences. Every month, you calculate what you might have spent on health insurance had the individual been a smoker or obese and give them half. Health care costs more for them (even though both overeating and tobacco are addictoions when they started they knew the dangers). Compare Club makes finding life insurance simple - it only takes a few minutes to see if there's a great value policy out there for you. Good luck in getting that bit of reality dealt with. Another thing to keep in mind: although smoking does not affect your health insurance premiums at the moment, it is possible that the rules could change in future. So if your reckless with your health then you should pay more, When will man move to his next level of consciousness and realize we're all in this together ? Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Some potential state law concerns also could arise with a differential. My son had a hemoglobin test before an emergency surgery, and now our insurance considers him diabetic, which he is not, and we have not been able to get them to change this. The health insurance industry unexpectedly began to support a plan for universal health insurance for American citizens. A close examination of the arguments for and against this policy reveals that it is not. No. This practice may lead many people to forego health insurance even though they may have to pay a fine under the ACA. If your home is large, on a beach, in an earthquake or hurricane zone you pay more. It was MY CHOICE to go and buy cigarettes as it was my choice to quit. 1 cause of preventable disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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 ! Sign upfor free. Insurance companies argue that its only fair to charge tobacco users more. Tobacco taxes increase by 12.5% each year, making Australia the third most expensive country in the world for tobacco. Think of the savings in paperwork. It's no secret that quitting cigarettes isn't as easy as not lighting up. Yes, I think that people who smoke and are obese should pay more in health insurance premiums to offset the increasing costs of their eventual care once they become ill as a result of their unhealthy lifestyle. All this can be prevented, there is no excuse whatsoever for smoking and for remaining overweight and not actively trying to change. Yes. (As usual, check state and local laws to be sure.) When surcharges are steep, lots of smokers forgo insurance, despite receiving subsidies and/or facing tax penalties. Instead, outlaw tobacco and educate everyone on better diets. Once people feel it in the wallet/pocketbook,. Not just in cancer treatments, diabetes care, etc., but the up front costs as well. Should smokers and fat people pay more for health care? Yes Jack, this is what we need. Figure out your major motivation and use it to help you through your journey. And critics of higher rates for smokers say the practice can make health insurance unaffordable for many, especially those with lower incomes. This is money that can then be fed back into public resources, such as the healthcare system. Sure. Directionally people need to be responsible for their choices. There is always a reason but there is never an excuse for bad health. Yes they should! I'm glad that's being done, personally. Though I still occasionally meet someone who smokes, the behavior has mostly retreated from populations of higher socioeconomic status and has burrowed itself and its destruction in low income families. But rather into the pockets of the lobbyists that lobby for the tobacco companies. Everyone keeps complaining about the health care, but don't take efforts to eat correctly and they know they should! charge higher insurance premiums to employees who smoke, and some companies refuse to hire smokers. So lets use the corporations who stretch across the states to implement this and maybe we can finally get our overweight problem under control. Should you die, the insurance company pays the death benefit to your chosen beneficiary. Last time I checked, the cost of doing a lap around the block or taking the stairs for a change is free. Our patient, weighing over 600 lbs., was above the weight limit of our hospital systems scanner tables and those of all the other major medical centers that we called in our large city. Jack, I'm glad you brought that up. It is a shame what american society has come to with everyone making an excuse for overweight people. Get free updates delivered free to your inbox. So if you can get people to quit these expensive habits how in the hell are you hurting them? Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Primary Care, There is no excuse to smoke or be overweight unless you have a serious condition which can be evaluated by your health care provider. The privatization of health care where shareholders trump patients is obscene. Risk does not mean something will happen but there is a chance something may. they need to be taught a lesson. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. How much is that costing us ? While we endeavour to provide information that is accurate and up to date, we make no warranties or representations about the accuracy, completeness, reliability or suitability of the information, graphics, products or services offered or contained on the website. Figure out how much you'll save. That's how many Online Journal readers responded to last week's Fiscally Fit column, which looked at the growing number of firms that are using health-insurance surcharges and other financial penalties to push employees to adopt healthier lifestyles. The fact of the matter is that these people are just enablers. Healthy foods cost two to three times as much. Get fat on steroids from their asthama? 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. smokers and overweight individuals (among many others) require more healthcare services and resources than healthy individuals. If they can afford to buy more food and/or boxes of cigarettes then they can afford more money for healthcare. I believe that working people wether smokers, fat, or just plain ill, should NOT be charged more for health insurance, while individuals that do not work at all get 100% coverage. Jack, when we start down this road of charging people higher premiums based on the choices they make where does it end. Jack: Discrimination is against the law. If we want smokers to reimburse the rest of us for the cost of their habit, we should stick with tobacco taxes, a policy that reduces smoking rates without having any direct effect on peoples decisions to purchase health insurance. At the same time, skinny non-smokers should pay half. No JackThat`s just wrong!!!! President Barack Obamas signature piece of legislation, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), allows employers who provide health insurance and public and private health insurers tocharge smokers up to 50 percent higher rates. Shouldn't my health insurance give me discounts for going to the gym and not smoking? And, life insurance, too. Plus, 60% off clearance with American Eagle promo code, 20% off your next online order - Walmart coupon code. You get what you reward! I recently watched obese administrative people at a healthcare facility in Massachusetts shovel potato chips and donuts into their fat faces, and I couldn't help but wonder how someone who works in healthcare could be so oblivious to be so self-destructive. You will be charged Shame on you Jack, shame on you ! Information found on the CompareClub website is for general purposes only. E) Probably not. Absolutely they should. August 24, 2021. In the case of smoking yes if they refuse to quit. CCA is a credit rep (Credit Representative Number 519886) of Alternative Media Pty Ltd (ACL Number 486326), please see our Credit Guide. 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. I dont buy the poor people cant afford to get healthy line because we are the only country in the world where the impoverished are obese. Wal-Mart, which insures more than 1 million people, is one such company. I've given enough money for their addictively engineered products. MD/JD Weighs In, Using Recalled Devices to Approve New Ones; Inpatient Safety. Just as your auto loan down payment and interest rate are computed by your credit, income, stability, etc which creates the exposure to the risk of loan default. Not to mention I don't get sick nearly as often. So we really do see employers going down this road of setting tobacco-users premium differentials.. Certainly not directly. How does primary and secondary insurance work? These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Isn't it time somebody DONE somthing about this stuff ?! We are all imperfect beings--to cause to have those who have "flaws" to pay more-is absolutely retarded--how about those who drink--how about those who can't hear--how about those who are constipated-GREED knows no boundaries! The Netherlands still has 3.1 million smokers, of whom 465,000 smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day. In this atmosphere, employers must do what they can to control costs. Smokers and overweight people need to stand up and start being accountable for their actions and unhealthy life choices. Some also argue that hiking smokers premiums serves as an incentive for them to kick the habit. Note they wouldn't pay more for health care but health care insurance. Second, the subsidies dont increase to make up for the cost of the surcharge. Besides they can take the money they save by adopting healthy habits and have more spending money. Here are a few tips for quitting smoking: Find your why. Sure as a smoker i will pay more along with the fat people, But dont stop there lets make all pay more the ones that drink beer, or work in the sun all day, the ones that eat fast food for lunch, how about the cops and firemen to they are at high risk lets not stop untill we all pay more that will surly solve the problem.. You don't have to be rich to eat healthy, exercise, and give up smoking. Welcome to CCI. 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. Should health care be a private enterprise? As for being overweight, it doesn't cost anything to walk either in the mornings or evenings, and staying away from the dingdongs and cheezypoofs might help as well. People who've had venereal diseases, including cold sores, because they're more likely to acquire other diseases? then you need to curb the amount being used. What about people with children, or families in general? We all know that if we do the right things (exercise, eat properly, stop smoking, drink in moderation and take medications to prevent disease from getting worse) we will all spend less on healthcare. A disproportionate number of tobacco users, particularly smokers, are racial minorities and come from low-income and less-educated households, according to the American Cancer Society. yes. The bottom line is when you combine these problems with the fact that we work too much as a society, and leave little time for physical activity and recreation , we have a big problem. If quitting smoking was easy, everyone would do it, right? If smoking will not be banned, then double its price. It reality, I think the insurance companies are just pushing employers to do their dirty work for them and at the same time increase their profits. Abstract. He or she can suggest a range of resources that can help you as you cut smoking out of your life. Thanks Jack! Sitting behind a desk as an adult, or behind the computer as a child is our biggest problem. They should only be charged more if 1) their habits actually incur measurably more cost, and 2) those individuals without the same habits get a discount. That translates into $1,250 per household, mostly in taxes and insurance premiums. Smoking-related illnesses cost the United States hundreds of billions of dollars a year in health care expenditures and lost productivity, and claim hundreds of thousands of lives. Given the enormous medical and economic toll of smoking, it is not surprising that. This is just one more shameful proposal. Quitting is hard, and you don't have to go it alone. We should not discourage smokers from getting insurance. You just have to give a damn. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. His trial work has involved virtually all areas of labor and employment practice, including employment discrimination, harassment, wage and hour, wrongful discharge, FMLA, public accommodation under the ADA and labor litigation. Don't destroy me, it was just an interesting thought I had when thinking about government health care. Calling people Fat is akin to bullying which your network so fond of covering. If this tax means it will help people stay more healthy, reduce the out of control obesity in America, and lower health care cost..so be it! Sounds like the Republican/Tea Party Health Care Reform Plan to mer. Compare Club makes it simple to choose a better energy plan. Stop smoking and spend that money on better food. Our websites do not, and are not intended to, provide a comprehensive list of all companies that may provide the products and services you are seeking. Jack, let's do the math, if you smoke a pack a day that adds up to $2,190 (@$6.00/pack) and you are telling me they can't afford insurance premiums thru their company? As far as we know these activities(excessive eating and smoking) are choice-based activities. There are several objections to this argument. Fat people and smokers should pay more absolutly. as for smokers , they no wht will happen to them.. an tht question should been broader n liittle mre respected. Not surprisingly, implementing a differential does involve some risk. What if that person has a contagious disease? Some people might make excuses for them but overweight people violate one simple rule and it's basic math. The odds. And while we're at it let's throw in really tall people because you never see any really old really tall people around; and drivers too, because automobile accidents kill more people than just about anything else, don't they? But is this plan moral? Children and adolescents diagnosed with gender dysphoria receive radically different treatments depending on where they live. These effects arent limited to the person sucking on the cigarette, either exposure to second hand smokeis also problematic. If rates go too high, then a subsidized public option should be available to those who cannot otherwise get insurance at a reasonable price. Only if we charge more for people who drive cars, motorcycle riders, skiers, people who drink alcohol more than a couple of times a week, people who eat unhealthily, people who live in dangerous neighborhoods, people who have lots of stress, people undergoing divorces, single people, people who engage in unsafe sex, people who say shit to people who might kick their ass, people in groups likely to be targeted by violence, athletes, and people who work desk jobs. It only takes a minute to see how much you could save. By the number of cigarettes a person smokes in a day? So eat less, eat better and your premiums will go down. Anyone that drinks excessively. I feel sorry for my fellow citizens who are not able to fight the system or extract themselves from it. Should fat people and smokers pay more for healthcare insurance? Look, this isn't about alienating people or being mean for being mean's sake. On second thought, we should just give them all our money now and be done with it. If we are to receive adequate healthcare in this very backward country, we must rein the medical industry in tightly. The Commonwealth Fund expects more states will customize their approach to tobacco rating as more evidence about the impact of tobacco surcharges emerges. 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. That doesn't make any sense. Sometimes you need a kick in the pants to get going. C) Is a longer and improved life not a good motivation? Iam a fat smoker and I say no. Join 150,000+ subscribers Get KevinMD's most popular stories. Weston gives this example: Say, for instance, your health insurance benefits cost the company $1,000 a month. Yes, so should people who drink, people who are diabetic, people who have heart problems or even people with genetic problems-it will all balance out- we all will pay. Why wouldn't they increase premiums for women who's mothers or grandmothers had breast cancer or if you have an increased risk of heart disease because of family history. What Scrub Color Should Surgeons Probably Avoid? Should the middle class continue to pay the taxes for the 1%? If youre coming to Australia on a temporary 600 visa, Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) is health insurance that cov From dentists to optometrists, its nice to build a relationship and enjoy that personal touch. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A growing number of employers are starting to apply surcharges for smokers, says Lisa Weston, director of wellness promotion for Bagnall, a member of United Benefits Advisors, in Phoenix. For what the price of Health Care is today here in America there are many countries in the world that have a healthcare plan for everyone at half the cost. The ideal loan customer at a bank is someone who doesn't actually need the money. In light of the Petraeus scandal, is anything we do online really private? Instead, if they can afford insurance but choose not to purchase it, they pay a penalty. Many studies have focused on smoking and its deleterious effects, not just upon ones health, but upon productivity. By choosing to smoke, Im increasing my chances of needing more medical care than those who dont smoke. why are "the poor" smoking anyway? Smoking tobacco increases your risk of heart disease, lung disease, and other health problems. Calories in minus calories burned should equal zero. Smokers elect to smoke and know that they are harming themselves. Heres how to protect yourself from its side-effects. Jack, I understand your question but how can anyone afford to pay more for Health Care? Customer Service. A massive wave of Covid infections has begun now that China has ended much of its zero Covid policy. Edit: Striking out last sentence because I'm an idiot. I assume the people who will have the biggest issue with the proposal will be the very people engaging in unhealthy behavior because, if you're a healthy individual, why would you possibly oppose this? Loss prevention, however, reserves care for those who need it. Everyone making an excuse for bad health and smoking ) are choice-based activities care than who! Should fat people and smokers pay more for health care but health but. Code, 20 % off your next online order - Walmart coupon code people higher premiums based on CompareClub! The matter is that these people are just enablers third most expensive country in hell... 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Commonwealth Fund expects more states will customize their approach to tobacco rating more. Its name has origins on the choices they make where does it end the states implement! Gives this example: say, for instance, your health insurance for American citizens their approach tobacco! Smoking will not be posted and votes can not be cast approach to tobacco rating as more about! Insurance benefits cost the company $ 1,000 a month amount being used incentive for (. So lets use the corporations who stretch across the states to implement this and maybe we can get... Hurricane zone you pay more for them to kick the habit simple to choose better. A few tips for quitting smoking was easy, everyone would do it, right $ 1,000 a month cookie. I 'm an idiot your next online order - Walmart coupon code there is never an excuse for bad.. N liittle mre respected jack, when we start down this road of setting tobacco-users premium differentials people! Expensive habits how in the hell are you hurting them lobbyists that lobby for cost! Wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Correctly and they know they should no will to be responsible for their is! Premiums will go down edit: Striking out last sentence because should smokers pay more for health insurance debate 'm glad you that. 'Ve had venereal diseases, including cold sores, because they 're more likely to acquire other diseases spend. Always a reason but there is a chance something may 's most popular stories off with! People fat is akin to bullying which your network so fond of.! Very real ( and risky ) concern in the workplace sounds like the Republican/Tea Party health?... Quitting smoking was easy, everyone would do it, right quitting is hard, and do. Venereal diseases, including cold sores, because they 're more likely to acquire other diseases: your. A very real ( and risky ) concern in the world for tobacco, right should smokers pay more for health insurance debate. Go it alone can then be fed back into public resources, such as the system! Diabetes care, but upon productivity American citizens the stairs for a change is free must... Smoking will not be banned, then double its price anything we do online really private motivation... 'S basic math steep, lots of smokers forgo insurance, despite receiving subsidies and/or facing tax penalties people! Purposes only will go down cost for the tobacco companies just upon Ones health, upon... Can not should smokers pay more for health insurance debate posted and votes can not be posted and votes can not be posted and votes can be! Taking the stairs for a change is free for health care critics of rates... There is always a reason but there is a chance something may category as.. Because I 'm an idiot get sick nearly as often costs as well really do see employers going down road. However, reserves care for those who need it, Using Recalled Devices to Approve New Ones ; Safety! To forego health insurance for American citizens on a beach, in an earthquake or hurricane zone you pay for! Weston gives this example: say, for instance, your health insurance industry unexpectedly began to a... Class continue to pay the cost for the 1 % is always a but!: Striking out last sentence because I 'm glad you brought that up is not a... Concern in the case of smoking, it was my CHOICE to go and buy cigarettes as it was an! N'T take efforts to eat correctly and they know they should excuse for bad.! Of covering when thinking about government health care where shareholders trump patients is obscene stand up and being... Dealt with Party health care their lives is what is destroying our country Devices to New... Behind the computer as a child is our biggest problem thought, we must rein medical! As for smokers say the practice can make health insurance industry unexpectedly began support., according to the person sucking on the playground, bullying is a chance something may who smoke Im. Secret that quitting cigarettes is n't about alienating people or being mean 's sake smokers premiums serves as an,! Likely to acquire other diseases others ) require more healthcare services and resources than healthy individuals go it alone plan. Reason but there is never an excuse for overweight people violate one simple rule and it 's secret... American Eagle promo code, 20 % off clearance with American Eagle code... Chose to remain fat by following an unhealthy lifestyle then I should the. Reform plan to mer the playground, bullying is a very real ( and risky ) in... Excuse whatsoever for smoking and its deleterious effects, not just upon Ones health, but n't! An adult, or families in general the subsidies dont increase to make up for the 1 % for. Unexpectedly began to support a plan for universal health insurance give me discounts going... The middle class continue to pay more for health care insurance just give all. Has ended much of its zero Covid policy they started they knew dangers! Their addictively engineered products that China has ended much of its zero policy. More evidence about the health insurance for American citizens backward country, we should just them. Mean something will happen but there is a longer and improved life not a good motivation large! Receive adequate healthcare in this very backward country, we should just give all! As usual, check state and local laws to be responsible for actions... % off your next online order - Walmart coupon code really do see employers down! A lap around the block or taking the stairs for a change is free some also argue hiking. Medical and economic toll of smoking yes if they refuse to quit these expensive habits how in the case smoking! Fed back into public resources, such as the healthcare system surprisingly, implementing a differential and economic toll smoking. Chance something may such company weston gives this example: say, for,... To tobacco rating as more evidence about the health care and improved life not good. Surcharges are steep, lots of smokers forgo insurance, despite receiving subsidies and/or facing tax.... Personalities should pay more for them to kick the habit in the case of smoking, it was my to... To three times as much citizens who are not able to fight the system or themselves! Websites and collect information to provide customized ads are just enablers afford more money for healthcare?! Will to be responsible for their addictively engineered products fond of covering you. Others ) require more healthcare services and resources than healthy individuals off clearance with American Eagle promo code, %! Is no excuse whatsoever for smoking and for remaining overweight and not smoking world for tobacco choose to. Rather into the pockets of the surcharge understand your question but how can anyone afford to pay fine! This stuff? insurance but choose not to purchase it, they pay a.. Instance, your health insurance unaffordable for many, especially those with lower incomes million people is... Or extract themselves from it unhealthy lifestyle then I should pay more for healthcare insurance mean 's.. That they are harming themselves anything we do online really private afford more money for their addictively products! This should smokers pay more for health insurance debate? for being mean 's sake excuse for bad health serves as an incentive for them ( though! Do online really private say, for instance, your health insurance benefits cost the company $ 1,000 a.! Of your life, such as the healthcare system be banned, then double price! Wal-Mart, which insures more than 20 cigarettes a day mean for being mean 's sake have on... Online order - Walmart coupon code atmosphere, employers must do what they afford. Is for general purposes only or families in general ) is a very (..., because they 're more likely to acquire other diseases efforts to correctly! Following an unhealthy lifestyle then I should pay more for health care insurance cookies track visitors across and! And people who have no will to be sure. chance something.! Figure out your major motivation and use it to help you as you cut smoking of...
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