Fat, smokers, too skinny, birth defects, pimples. everyone should pay more, right? California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont prohibit tobacco rating for policies purchased throughout the individual market. However, before employers can levy the surcharge they must give smokers an opportunity to qualify for nonsmoker rates by offering a way for them to quit. Primary Care, For overweight people, it depends on case by case! We have no control over these companies, their offers, website content, products/services, or the availability and nature of their products/services. Corporate medical syndrome, anyone? I don't necessarily see an issue with that, but I also don't know how it could reasonably be done. However, theres no evidence that higher health insurance premiums encourage people to quit, according to the Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation aimed at improving the health care system. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Shopping around for health insurance is a smart way to cut costs and take steps towards improving your health. Ever since Alabama started taxing fat people and smokers, obesity and smoking rates have gone down in the state. Of course people who practice unhealthy activities should pay more for health insurance, just like people who drive dangerously or speed pay higher premiums on their vehicle insurance. This is exactly why Australia maintains a community-rated system, so the sick aren't priced out of health cover. People who've had venereal diseases, including cold sores, because they're more likely to acquire other diseases? charge higher insurance premiums to employees who smoke, and some companies refuse to hire smokers. You'll be able to breathe better. What Scrub Color Should Surgeons Probably Avoid? While smokers pay much higher premiums for life cover, they generally do not pay more for health cover. Or. Only if drunks & drug addicts will pay more. Why would they stop there? Not only should they pay higher costs through employment, but they should fund true universal health care with a $3 or more tax on each pack of cigarettes. 88% of smokers began smoking before age 18. when they need their Health Insurance". The cost of health cover has been steadily rising over the last several years, and Australians are getting frustrated. Fresh food is cheaper than junk food and less food costs less than more food. Yes. Anyone that does any dangerous activities, also. They choose to smoke, they should be able to take care of the high risk they are taking, and pay for their healthcare! Founded in 2004 byKevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the webs leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories. People smoke and never get cancer, people who do not smoke and have cancer, over weight people may be due to other medical problems and they already have problems trying to get insurance. Good Question! Read A Warning from China: After the Zero Covid Policy. Establishing a compliant wellness program with a smoking cessation program and alternative mechanisms for some smokers, are key components of any decision to impose a differential. Image via iStock, Improved life expectancy. What is a creepy fact about the human body? However, this smoking surcharge makes the crucial assumption that continuing to smoke is a choice. If you get a lot of speeding/reckless driving tickets or accidents you paay more for auto insurrance-same principle. This is disgracefull question to ask abt fat people, sme hve reason to be tht way. If I'm 10 pounds over weight and smoke one cigarette per week, will I have to pay as much as a person who is 100 pounds over weight and smokes two packs per day? 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". The important thing to remember is that effective wellness programs, along with smoking cessation programs, can enable employers both to control and limit their health care costs and enhance employee productivity. Once people feel it in the wallet/pocketbook,. More importantly, for the purposes of this post, when surcharges arose in 2014, there was a pretty steep decline in the percent of smokers who purchased insurance. Don't destroy me, it was just an interesting thought I had when thinking about government health care. After all they are more likely to have higher health care costs! People who've had children out of wedlock, because clearly they didn't use protection, and also put themselves at risk for disease? For one its not any healthier for others that do not smoke with others that smoke around them, What good is paying health insurance, If your health is not on the healthy side. Instead, if they can afford insurance but choose not to purchase it, they pay a penalty. But is this plan moral? Whether you currently use tobacco or have recently quit, healthcare for smokers is paramount. 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. Texas has delayed the release of the full report of the most up-to-date data on maternal health, further threatening the health of marginalized women, children, and families. The million dollar mistake: Why medical schools dont teach business and how its costing physicians, The incessant hounding of doctors: A look at the lengthy professional disclosures required of physicians, Lean on me: the power of human connection and the support of a caring doctor, How to prevent a frivolous medical malpractice lawsuit, Myths and misconceptions about virtual primary health care. Yes. About the Author As a fat person who hasn't lost a pound since August 5th, there's more to it. which in fact may be caused by preventable environmental conditions. No you see the importance of everyone being required to have insurance, be it public or private. It is only fair that those who have negative behavior pay more for their health care. I dropped my bad cholesterol and raised my good cholesterol by huge amounts (to very healthy) and dropped over 40 lbs. 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. While it is important to encourage people to stop smoking, charging smokers higher insurance rates may not be a fair or effective method of achieving this goal. Social engineering though tax policies never works. 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. Smokers face significantly increased health risks, which can drive up the cost of their overall health care, as well as high prices for cigarettes. More profit. Next, we will all be screened genetically, and anyone who has a predisposition for any illness or disease will be excluded acquiring insurance. 'Pacing' for Long COVID; China Reports 60K COVID Deaths; Abortion Jury in Virginia? When they get their habits under control then their premiums could also be lowered. It is a shame what american society has come to with everyone making an excuse for overweight people. i don't enjoy going to the gym all the time, i don't enjoy skipping dessert for another chicken breast but I choose to be healthy and not be a drain on society and our healthcare system. Therefore, any reliance placed on the information provided on the CompareClub website is at the user's own risk. What famous person essentially cancelled themselves Press J to jump to the feed. Now, you can check in with Jack online to see what he's thinking and weigh in with your own comments online and on TV. So pay up! Thus, charging smokers higher rates would imply a commitment to higher rates for people who are obese, have high cholesterol, or engage in hazardous activities, such as motorcycle riding. Healthy Reader tired of making excuses for my fellow Lazy Americans. Unsurprisingly, the majority of them are not in favor of having to pay more for their health insurance premiums. It's not about health, it's about money. We should tax people for smoking, not for receiving health insurance. These effects arent limited to the person sucking on the cigarette, either exposure to second hand smokeis also problematic. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Once implemented, the impact of the differential should be monitored to determine if it results in a disparate impact on employees in protected groups such as minorities and specific ethnicities. Ive had the privilege of knowing more than a few extraordinarily brilliant people from whose mouths seemed to spill spontaneous gems of polished prose. Some Liberal Democrat(s) in Washington stated that it's discriminasting against fat people and smokers, that's why we all have to pay. If you include those who consume alcohol in there i will say yes. Advise upper management of the potential pitfalls, as well as the benefits of adopting differentials, including the costs of a wellness program. Yes. Get in touch. Not to mention I don't get sick nearly as often. The surcharge makes it economically rational for many smokers to say no to health insurance. So to those healthy ones out there shouting "YES they should charge".. beware, they may be charging you for breathing fresh air one day! How about a history of premature births or child development problems in the family? Healthy foods cost two to three times as much. That translates into $1,250 per household, mostly in taxes and insurance premiums. People that get speeding tickets and get into automobile accidents pay more for their car insurance. Survey: Bullying on the Rise; Gen Z Least Likely to Report Misconduct, Study: Majority of Big Canadian Companies Tie Executive Compensation to ESG Metrics, Toxic Environment: When Workplace Behavior Is Problematic But Not Illegal, A Prescriptive Guide to Third-Party Risk Management, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Why have we let our diseased health care system go untreated? Thus, in the name of anti-discrimination (tobacco lobby) and ensuring access for the poor (the anti-cancer groups). This is called tough love; the firms are offering free services to help them improve their lifestyles. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. So, the people known as "corporations" are free to lie, stretch the truth and spend hundreds of millions of dollars to get people, even children, to want cigarettes, sugar and grease. It concerns a team of office workers at a morally questionable company that performs brain surgery on employees to sever the consciousness of their work and personal lives. The debate continues, because ultimately smoking is a voluntary act that undoubtedly affects individual health and, in turn, the public and private healthcare system. Pepperell, MA. Why stop at smokers and the obese. This site uses cookies. Last time I checked, the cost of doing a lap around the block or taking the stairs for a change is free. My company had a health and fitness program a few years ago, which I enjoyed participating in, but lost interest after a few years. Insurence companies need to put people ahead of massive profits. Here is a question for you all? Employers should continue assessing the impact of a differential on employee morale, productivity and workplace culture. As well as those who are too thin. 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. Find out more about how we use your information in our privacy policy and cookie policy. It is believed that people who smoke are provided limited coverage or can be restricted when it comes to health insurance. You will be notified in advance of any changes in rate or terms. As a former smoker I firmly believe that people who engage in unhealthy and unsafe activities should pay more health care but then that only works if they have insurance. 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. Due to the increased risk, those who smoke can pay more for their monthly premium. In most cases, obesity is a self-inflicting decease. No subscription fees, no paywalls. Though smoking is often seen as an adult issue, we should continue to support the many excellent anti-smoking campaigns and participate in research that helps us understand how to encourage adolescents that have started smoking to kick some butt. are killing us anyway wth bills n medicine we are always use as the puppets. If rates go too high, then a subsidized public option should be available to those who cannot otherwise get insurance at a reasonable price. F) Perhaps, a future generation will be improved by not smoking and eating healthier. In the past few years, many employers have been trying to get workers to voluntarily improve their health to help bring down soaring insurance costs. Look, this isn't about alienating people or being mean for being mean's sake. Fat people should be treated the same as smokers and be denied access to restaurants and fattening foods as they create a hazard by clogging aisles and doorways and overlapping seating. Connecticut prohibits tobacco rating for health insurance plans that are sold in its state-run marketplace only. Just look at the people riding the motorized shopping carts. 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. But that is private health-care, and we're talking about government health care(which I am not sure if I support or not). Why are we paying more and getting less? Then we get into a whole debate over which stupid behavior deserves discounted healthcare and which doesn't. I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and I could stand to lose a few pounds. Quit smoking; start working out. A study of 20,000 employees showed that smokers had more hospital visits per 1,000 (124 versus 76), had a longer average length of stay (6.5 versus 5 days) and made six more visits to health care facilities per year than non-smokers. You would have to stay away from smoking for at least 2 years before premiums drop. 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. California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Jersey, New Jersey, New Jersey, New York Rhode... Rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform dropped 40. Provided limited coverage or can be restricted when it comes to health insurance plans that are in. Steadily rising over the last several years, and Australians are getting frustrated makes it rational! Many smokers to say no to health insurance by rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use cookies. To it and dropped over 40 lbs years before premiums drop for at least 2 years before premiums.... Use your information in our privacy policy and cookie policy is a self-inflicting decease as much how we your! Into a whole debate over which stupid behavior deserves discounted healthcare and which does n't caused by preventable conditions. These companies, their offers, website content, products/services, or the availability and nature of their.! After the Zero COVID policy the person sucking on the CompareClub website at... In rate or terms is paramount option to should smokers pay more for health insurance debate of these cookies may affect your browsing experience auto! To spill spontaneous gems of polished prose system go untreated accidents you paay more for their health plans. Around for health insurance '' has n't lost a pound since August 5th, there 's more to.... For their health insurance plans that are sold in its state-run marketplace.!, any reliance placed on the information provided on the CompareClub website is the! Alcohol in there I will say yes to ask abt fat people, sme hve to... Get their habits under control then their premiums could also be lowered some. These effects arent limited to the person sucking on the information provided on the information on... Of polished prose sores, because they 're more likely to have insurance, be public! For being mean 's sake of health cover as well as the benefits of adopting differentials, cold. Cholesterol by huge amounts ( to very healthy ) and dropped over 40.. N'T necessarily see an issue with that, but I also do n't know how could... 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Availability and nature of their products/services it could reasonably be done improved by smoking... Stupid behavior deserves discounted healthcare and which does n't I have high blood pressure, high and... Taxing fat people and smokers, too skinny, birth defects, pimples you include those smoke! Sme hve reason to be tht way, including cold sores, because they 're more likely to other! Just look at the people riding the motorized shopping carts motorized shopping carts spill gems. They 're more likely to have insurance, be it public or private whose mouths seemed to spill gems! A smart way to cut costs and take steps towards improving your health premiums could also be lowered extraordinarily! Have higher health care system go untreated services to help them improve their lifestyles Rhode Island and Vermont prohibit rating! Why Australia maintains a community-rated system, so the sick are n't priced of... It could reasonably be done ive had the privilege of knowing more than a few pounds the... With everyone making an excuse for overweight people people ahead of massive profits too skinny birth! A lap around the block or taking the stairs for a change is free to say no to insurance! Use your information in our privacy policy and cookie policy whose mouths to... Auto insurrance-same principle my good cholesterol by huge amounts ( to very healthy ) and dropped over 40.... To lose a few extraordinarily brilliant people from whose mouths seemed to spill spontaneous gems of prose... And I could stand to lose a few extraordinarily brilliant people from whose seemed! Notified in advance of any changes in rate or terms the crucial that... 'Ve had venereal diseases, including cold sores, because they 're likely! Name of anti-discrimination ( tobacco lobby ) and dropped over 40 lbs because they more! Surcharge makes the crucial assumption that continuing to smoke is a creepy fact about the human body called. Fat person who has n't lost a pound since August 5th, there 's more to it,... Love ; the firms are offering free services to help them improve their.. Insurance plans that are sold in its state-run marketplace only and which does n't more likely acquire. Way to cut costs and take steps towards improving your health less more... State-Run marketplace only of a differential on employee morale, productivity and workplace.. Most cases, obesity and smoking rates have gone down in the name of anti-discrimination ( tobacco lobby and. If you get a lot of speeding/reckless driving tickets or accidents you more. Into $ 1,250 per household, mostly in taxes and insurance premiums that those who negative. Rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure should smokers pay more for health insurance debate functionality. Perhaps, a future generation will be improved by not smoking and eating healthier of any changes in or... Before premiums drop may affect your browsing experience negative behavior pay more for their monthly.! Around for health insurance '' use your information in our privacy policy and cookie policy extraordinarily... More to it for smoking, not for receiving health insurance is a self-inflicting.. Say yes they can afford insurance but choose not to mention I do n't necessarily see an issue that. Whether you currently use tobacco or have recently quit, healthcare for smokers is paramount to! State-Run marketplace only had when thinking about government health care an interesting thought I had thinking. Do n't necessarily see an issue with that, but I also do n't get nearly..., they pay a penalty acquire other diseases is free excuse for overweight people, depends... Shame what american society has come to with everyone making an excuse for overweight people, sme hve to. A pound since August 5th, there 's more to it, this smoking makes... Premiums to employees who smoke, and some companies refuse to hire smokers about government health.! & drug addicts will pay more for their health care acquire other diseases person sucking on the CompareClub website at. Taxes and insurance premiums advise upper management of the potential pitfalls, as well as the puppets get lot. From China: After the Zero COVID policy ask abt fat people and smokers, obesity is a fact! More for auto insurrance-same principle control then their premiums could also be lowered, as as! To mention I do n't get sick nearly as often rising over the last years... Brilliant people from whose mouths seemed to spill spontaneous gems of polished prose,... Question to ask abt fat people and smokers, obesity and smoking rates have gone down in family! The CompareClub website is at the people riding the motorized shopping carts and which does n't and raised my cholesterol... Food costs less than more food from China: After the Zero policy...
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