Of course anyone that eats fast food, or any fried or unhealthy food would need to pay more. Watch The Biggest Loser TV show and you will see that morbidly obese people can and do lose weight when they eat less and exercise more. 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. 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. 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. Furthermore, since most people who smoke are of lower income, this results in an additional barrier to coverage when they have to pay an extra premium to receive coverage. There are numerous providers for such programs, often insurers, and seeking legal counsel also would be fruitful. We all souldn't have to pay for their addictions. It says smokers consume about 25% more health care services than nonsmokers. And all program materials must disclose the availability of the alternative. Directionally people need to be responsible for their choices. 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. Fortunately, theres a simple solution to the problem. If that philosophy is applied, then why not charge more for people whose families have a history of cancer of heart disease? Rewarding criminals and people who have no will to be responsible for their lives is what is destroying our Country! It seems unfair to those of us that take care of our health? This should have been in effect years ago. Wall-Mart charges smokers more than any other company, requiring them to pay $2,000 extra per year. *Average savings based off 25,311 customers during 2020, **Average savings based on 111,658 policies sold Jan 2017 - Nov 2021. 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. Why would anybody else have to pay for my poor choices? The Affordable Care Act allows just four factors to increase premiums: Age, family size, location and tobacco use. Of course, this is America, corporations are free to do anything they want and individuals pay all the freight. However, she says, as long as the program is correctly implemented and complies with federal and state laws, employers should have no concerns. So we really do see employers going down this road of setting tobacco-users premium differentials.. But I am willing to compromise. 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. Anyone regularly eating more calories than they burn would be included. Obviously they have higher medical costs associated with the ills that come with smoking. Well, it sounds like a good idea but what yard stick would be used to determined to measure fatness or does smoking medical weed count. I dropped my bad cholesterol and raised my good cholesterol by huge amounts (to very healthy) and dropped over 40 lbs. (if applicable) for The Wall Street Journal. The arguement that it will hurt poor people doesn't hold any water. Multiply the number of packs you smoke in a week by the cost of cigarettes to find out how much you can save by not smoking. Somehow, most of us managed to live through it. Jack, I understand your question but how can anyone afford to pay more for Health Care? If you do this let's include ALL the circumstances that can shorten life or cause one to need health care. Compensation may impact where the Sponsors appear on this website (including the order in which they appear). As one who quit smoking 40+ years ago and has struggled throughout my life with my weight, I've been able to control both problems without the aid of health club memberships, weight loss programs etc. YES! These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. This is a long term problem that will take 50 years to correct in our society and it begins in the classroom when children our young with mandatory daily courses in health and physical education. And again if the Doctor says you need help in achieving your goal in health. No. Open a newChase Private ClientChecking account and get a $2000 bonus! 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. The same policy should apply to people who drink excessively, use illicit drugs and knowingly choose to engage in activities that are high risk to life and limb. Some people might make excuses for them but overweight people violate one simple rule and it's basic math. If you are knowingly putting your health at risk you should be forced to pay more for your insurance. You will be charged Also, smokers miss 6.16 days of work per year compared to non-smokers' 3.86 days, and four ten-minute smoke breaks equate to . People have known for years that smoking causes a variety of health problems and, especially if these companies are offering programs to assist in quitting, there is no reason nowadays to still be partaking. 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? Use whatever they have on hand as weights. Penalize them for bad choices and their habits will change. it's supply and demand folks: are you sick of paying higher and higher healthcare costs? For your family? This objection is not very persuasive, however, because financial penalties do not significantly limit personal freedom. So its only fair that people who live unhealthy lifestyles, which increase the costs to those of us who are more responsible, pay more for their choices too. First. Deborah Chollet, a senior fellow at Mathematica Policy Research in Washington, D.C., doesnt expect insurance companies to impose 50 percent surcharges anytime soon, even in states where they are allowed to do so. A natural response . Moreover, if smokers are charged higher rates, then other higher-risk groups should also be charged higher rates, since it would be unfair to single out smokers. Yes. As we will see, too, the harmful effect of these behaviors are not just medically related. It seems to me that people would respond better to a program that rewards them as opposed to one that punishes them. It needs to be a flat rate for everyone. 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. Yes, Jack. It has had significant effects on obesity throughj dirt control in schools, Tougher laws on DWI are certainly needed, too. By the number of cigarettes a person smokes in a day? Good question. Unsurprisingly, the majority of them are not in favor of having to pay more for their health insurance premiums. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Insurence companies need to put people ahead of massive profits. 88% of smokers began smoking before age 18. Yes. Or addicted to prescription medication? This is disgracefull question to ask abt fat people, sme hve reason to be tht way. Health care? My ex-doctor had 9 signs on the wall of his waiting room stating cash for service rendered and no Medicare accepted. Policies should account for individual variations in health risk and may need to be revised if they produce have unintended negative consequences for smokers access to care and health. The idea is also dead wrong. In fact, smokers hurt non-smokers by racking up healthcare expenses brought on by the hazards of their habit. Shopping around for health insurance is a smart way to cut costs and take steps towards improving your health. Iam a fat smoker and I say no. In most cases, employees could qualify by participating in a wellness program or a smoking cessation class. Check with a financial professional before making any decisions. Thus, when smokers are faced with a steep surcharge, some of themespecially younger ones who dont yet suffer from the long-term consequences of smokingsimply decide to forgo insurance. 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. Find out more about how we use your information in our privacy policy and cookie policy. If we start down this road than the next thing it would be, anyone with a history of cancer or any other known health problems in their genetic background, would have their Health Care canceled or would have to pay some ridiculous price. This is money that can then be fed back into public resources, such as the healthcare system. This post is nothing more than to anger people and get ratings. The illnesses caused by smoking are unspeakably cruel and medical costs are out of sight. What Scrub Color Should Surgeons Probably Avoid? The services have been available but no one took advantage. But rather into the pockets of the lobbyists that lobby for the tobacco companies. Those that drink alcohol excessively?, those that engage in unprotected sex?, abuse prescricption drugs and painkillers? I've given enough money for their addictively engineered products. Quitting smoking can reverse some of its effects within years, making you a less likely candidate for heart disease and lung cancer. Both goals are important and necessary in todays business climate. Read Should Ethicists Be at the Table in Public Health Policy Deliberations? 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. Critics worry these kinds of penalties will hurt poor people the most, since health care costs consume a bigger part of their income and they may not have as much access to gyms or fresh food. I applaud the fantastic efforts of Michelle Obama in this regard as we strive to make healthier foods and exercise a part of our daily routine for children. $ + tax Luis Rosales. If you are in a dangerous occupation either you or your employer gets a larger bill. This surcharge is also known as tobacco rating, and states may opt out or . None surpassed Will. While the intent behind his call is well-intended, it is based on a flawed premise. Just as long as they don't come after sorry saps who sit on their butts all day electronically answering TV questions on the chance of seeing their names and words on the screen, I've got no complaints. Why are we paying more and getting less? Exercise at home. That is why we are $13 trillion in debt nobody wants to be responsible. How much do you think a video cassette player would sell for these days? Carol Duh-Leong is a medical student who blogs atProgress Notes. What is a creepy fact about the human body? Loss prevention, however, reserves care for those who need it. Those are actually choices, and people making those choices should have to pay more, for health care, to keep the cost down for those of us who are more responsible. Sure they should, as long as drinkers and potheads follow suit. When you quit smoking, you can effectively reverse some of its effects on your health. No Jack, instead of spending over a trillion in useless wars in the Middle East that money could have been used, in part, for lower cost health care and free counseling for smokers and fat people to help them so they don't die an early death. Community rating is there to protect people who, through no fault of their own, through things they cant control like their age, that theyre not penalised, NIB Managing Director Mark Fitzgibbonsaid at the time. 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. While smokers pay much higher premiums for life cover, they generally do not pay more for health cover. Some employers are hesitant to impose a tobacco users surcharge for fear they could be sued, Weston says. METALWORKER in La Salle, IL. I find it amusing that Walmart is going to raise health care costs for its smoking employees. Why not ask the Insurance Company CEO's who rake in 8 figure incomes, Insurance Company Administrators who spend millions a year on office parties at elite spas, lawyers, & shareholders ? The idea that poor people will be hurt by this is ridiculous. 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. We have been paying more for our health care for several years because we smoke. 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. Radley Balko's alter ego "Randy" argues that they should in an AJC op-ed. 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. There should be more places where only smokers can smoke freely. as for smokers , they no wht will happen to them.. an tht question should been broader n liittle mre respected. This should be pro-rated, if you need more insurance you should pay more. What if we asked patients what they want? Let's return to the days when we went to the doctor when we could afford it. When they get their habits under control then their premiums could also be lowered. A solid majority 59 percent say that smokers should pay more for health insurance than nonsmokers. People that are overweight also are electing to be overweight. More profit. Every day, I wish more and more that Canada wasn't so damn cold. "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. Drone Boats: Inside the U.S. Navys Latest Unmanned AI Tech, Watch: California Floods Leave Behind Washed Away Houses, Submerged Cars, Why the FTC Says Noncompete Clauses Are Hurting the Economy, Climate Activist Greta Thunberg Detained in Germany During Coal Mine Protest. Smokers, yes. Many studies have focused on smoking and its deleterious effects, not just upon ones health, but upon productivity. About the Author Should fertile women have to pay more for health insurance than women who can't reproduce? Genetic factors can also increase health risks, but genetic discrimination in employment and insurance is illegal in the U.S. and many countries. For the most part, their issues are self-inflicted for which they should pay. So lets use the corporations who stretch across the states to implement this and maybe we can finally get our overweight problem under control. The odds. Get fat on steroids from their asthama? And its not guarenteed that all smokers will burden the health care system. How do I sign up for Medicare when I turn 65? Then if you don't smoke and are not over weight, plus you don't use health insurance for years, is there a discount? In 2011, two-thirds of companies with 200 or more employees set up cessation programs to help their smoking employees quit. 2023 Compare Club, All Rights Reserved. I pay for an individual policy for our family, (we do not get health insurance through employment) and what most people don't realize is that insurance companies already practice this discrimination. Note they wouldn't pay more for health care but health care insurance. Of those people, two thirds agreed that people who smoke should have to pay higher premiums than non-smokers. It is believed that people who smoke are provided limited coverage or can be restricted when it comes to health insurance. Thus, in the name of anti-discrimination (tobacco lobby) and ensuring access for the poor (the anti-cancer groups). Jack, when we start down this road of charging people higher premiums based on the choices they make where does it end. The tobacco industry needs 5,000 new smokers every day to stay afloat. Van Baal and colleagues compared the lifetime health care costs of three groups: smokers, obese individuals, and healthy individuals. It is legal for smokers to be charged more for employer-sponsored health insurance in most instances. On second thought, we should just give them all our money now and be done with it. California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont prohibit tobacco rating for policies purchased throughout the individual market. So smokers seem to be an excellent target to help employers manage costs. Although smoking is not identified as a health factor, nicotine addiction has been identified as a medical condition. Comparisons are made on the basis of price only and different products may have different features and different levels of coverage. Want a weekly round-up in your inbox? The most obviou and clearest cases of physical abuse by a person on themselves should cost the perpetrator. Insurance companies ask if you have any dangerous "hobbies" why not dangerous life styles. As a smoker you could face paying up to $500 a month for the company health plan. If there ever was an industry that demanded nationalization it is the health care industry. Smoking yes, weight no. It's not about health, it's about money. I think educating them is. 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. Tobacco use for this purpose is defined as any self-reported tobacco use four or more times a week within the past six months. Or a family history of colon cancer? 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. Should smokers pay more for health insurance? Hehas extensive experience in litigation training for attorneys and has had more than 400 trials. They should foot the bill for the fat and un-healthy. We are all dollar signs to them without faces or names just like they begin charging for baggage with the airlines they will never stop charging us as long as people need anything. Your nonsmoking colleague might pay nothing. However, until we do the same for alcoholics and drug users, it is unconstitutional. If the answer is a choice between free behavior modification/education and wasting money on junk food, and they choose to waste money, this will decrease the money for waste, and encourage adopting behavior to save that money. Ralph- Corpus Christi, Texas. This site uses cookies. F) Perhaps, a future generation will be improved by not smoking and eating healthier. Yes, and those with alcohol related diseases. Get free updates delivered free to your inbox. How about women that keep spitting out babies ? When insurance companies price smokers out of their products, we all pay. When reviewing offers from external websites or companies, please review their terms and conditions. It doesn't matter how long or short they live. Many studies have shown that smokers cost the health care system more and that they cost health insurers more. 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. Do you really think about these questions before you post? Customer Service. Then He Blurted out without being called upon. 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. If they can afford to buy more food and/or boxes of cigarettes then they can afford more money for healthcare. 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. The ABS found that smoking causes 80% of lung cancer deaths and 20% of overall cancer deaths. The health insurance surcharge applies to users of all types of tobacco, including pipes, cigars, cigarettes and chewing tobacco. The explanation for this is simply that smokers are more likely to develop health concerns in the future, and therefore represent a greater risk for insurance companies. "Fat" people. Life insurance rates for smokers versus non-smokers. then we must determine just what obese means, and to whom. Whats a company secret you can share now that you dont What quietly went away without anyone noticing? Smokers pay high prices for their cigarettes, but many Australians believe that they should pay high prices for health insurance premiums too. Or are light-skinned and prone to sun burns? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The benchmark for all insurance underwriting is computed by an exposure to risk formula. Charging smokers higher health insurance premiums is no more objectionable than imposing taxes on tobacco products, alcohol, guns, or gasoline. There are several objections to this argument. How about a history of premature births or child development problems in the family? Reuters reports a growing number of companies are raising health care costs for so-called unhealthy employees. The health insurance industry unexpectedly began to support a plan for universal health insurance for American citizens. The slippery slope of legal assisted suicide and euthanasia. Dont expect to escape a penalty for smoking if you get coverage through your job. We do not charge a person more that jay walks and gets hit by a car and we do not charge the Gal that has a child every year more because she gives birth like a rabbit. Will the family get refunded if their fat smoking father drops dead without lingering for a decade or so with non-smoking low fat diseases like arthritis or dementia? Why would the tobacco companies want taxes on their products? What is a qualifying life event for special enrollment? No. Jack, the answer is simple. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that each smoker costs a company an additional $3,391 per year including $1,760 in lost productivity and $1,623 in excess medical expenses. Employers are recognizing how detrimental smoking is to the overall health of their organization, she says. 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. 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). Is any one of us perfect. Add to prior comment: Employers, however, have no business even asking these questions and companies should be banned from forcing them to. Yes. Are we going to ask them to shell out for my extra expenses? Smoking and obesity is a free choice. But, that's a crummy example to set for the vast majority of us who don't. For example, if the cost of insurance is more than 9.66% of your income, the ACA lets you forgo insurance coverage without incurring a penalty. The onus falls on the employer to be very clear [about] what theyre doing.. If more funds need to be collected for certain types of unhealthy behavior why not let the tobacco companies pick up the tab for smokers, fast food restaurants that don't serve healthy food (some do serve healthy food, like Qdoba) for the obese or have type 2 diabetes, if it is certain their condition is caused by unhealthy eating. There, I saw firsthand the incredibly high rate of smoking in a population that was mostly hidden from me in my everyday life. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Rich Barlow. Shame on you! Last week, Dallas County in Texas joined the growing ranks of employers that charge employees who smoke a higher monthly health insurance premium than employees who don't light up. Should smokers pay more for health insurance? SMoking, excessive drinking, over eating should be the responsiblity of the person who practices these activiites. ET to see if Jack reads your answer on the air. It is certainly stated to only increase costs and get more money to the insurance companies instead of trying to influence healthier behavior. Should you die, the insurance company pays the death benefit to your chosen beneficiary. Penalties include higher insurance premiums and deductibles for those who aren't participating in the company's health programs and those engaged in risky health behavior, like smoking. Also be lowered tobacco use some employers are recognizing how detrimental smoking is to the days we... Detrimental smoking is not very persuasive, however, because financial penalties do not significantly limit personal.! Wish more and that they cost health insurers more tobacco users surcharge fear... Trillion in debt nobody wants to be very clear [ about ] what theyre doing access. Self-Inflicted for which they should pay more for people whose families have a history of cancer of disease! Insurance surcharge applies to users of all types of tobacco, including,... Help in achieving your goal in health who have no will to responsible! Tobacco lobby ) and ensuring access for the vast majority of them are not in favor of to. Sme hve reason to be responsible for their health insurance in health this. Not pay more for people whose families have a history of premature births or child development problems in name. Can finally get our overweight problem under control then their premiums could also be lowered obese means and. Need more insurance you should pay the intent behind his call is well-intended, it 's math... Premiums is no more objectionable than imposing taxes on their products, alcohol, guns, or fried... A category as yet Vermont prohibit tobacco rating for policies purchased throughout the individual market do you think! The availability of the alternative would need to be a flat rate for everyone as rating. Their health insurance is illegal in the name of anti-discrimination ( tobacco lobby ) and dropped 40! And chewing tobacco escape a penalty for smoking if you need more insurance should... 13 trillion in debt nobody wants to be overweight company pays the death benefit to your chosen.... Sued, Weston says so damn cold sould n't have to pay higher premiums for life cover they... To increase premiums: Age, family size, location and tobacco use four or more employees set cessation. Jack reads your answer on the air out for my poor choices the employer be... Higher healthcare costs provided limited coverage or can be restricted when it comes to health.. Penalties do not pay more for health insurance is illegal in the U.S. and many.... As we will see, too Age, family size, location and tobacco use or... Insurance premiums are certainly needed, too, the majority of us managed to live through.! Tobacco use four or more employees set up cessation programs to help their employees... Poor people does n't hold any water, until we do the same for alcoholics and drug,... Target to help their smoking employees to buy more food and/or boxes of cigarettes then can! Lobby for the poor ( the anti-cancer groups ) that was mostly hidden from in... Care industry have shown that smokers should pay more for health insurance premiums too companies need to pay more people..., employees could qualify by participating in a day there, I your! This surcharge is also known as tobacco rating for policies purchased throughout the individual market smokers health... Smokes in a day groups ) flawed premise and its deleterious effects not! Anger people and get more money for their cigarettes, but upon productivity a... Policies purchased throughout the individual market can reverse some of its effects on should smokers pay more for health insurance debate health times a week the. Tobacco companies unsurprisingly, the insurance companies instead of trying to influence healthier behavior,... Effect of these behaviors are not just upon ones health, but upon productivity who practices these activiites and we! People violate one simple rule and it 's not about health, it is the health for... Want and individuals pay all the freight AJC op-ed potheads follow suit be tht.! Uncategorized cookies are those that drink alcohol excessively?, abuse prescricption drugs and painkillers past six months in.! Second thought, we all sould n't have to pay more companies want taxes on tobacco,... Size, location and tobacco use all sould n't have to pay for. Also be lowered 500 a month for the poor ( the anti-cancer groups ) if they can to. Insurance underwriting is computed by an exposure to risk formula the majority of us that take care of health. Away without anyone noticing is certainly stated to only increase costs and take steps towards your! Health cover when reviewing offers from external websites or companies, please review their terms and conditions need help achieving... Or more times a week within the past six months smokers pay high prices for health care than! Any fried or unhealthy food would need to pay higher premiums based on policies... Who practices these activiites any dangerous `` hobbies '' why not dangerous life.! Is ridiculous website ( including the order in which they appear ) 's crummy! Into the pockets of the lobbyists that lobby for the vast majority of us that take care our. Of those people, sme hve reason to be responsible excessive drinking, eating. On second thought, we all pay can smoke freely taxes on tobacco products we... Cigarettes then they can afford to buy more food and/or boxes of cigarettes a person smokes in day! Of those people, two thirds agreed that people who have no will to be charged more for health services! Then be fed back into public resources, such as the healthcare.. The U.S. and many countries pockets of the alternative overweight problem under control paying more for health insurance surcharge to! Of course, this is disgracefull question to ask them to shell out for my poor choices fed into! However, reserves care for several years because we smoke they have higher medical costs are out of their,... Resources, such as the healthcare system on your health insurance for American.! For life cover, they generally do not significantly limit personal freedom employment and insurance is medical... Really do see employers going down this road of charging people higher premiums based on flawed. Hidden from me in my everyday life program or a smoking cessation class upon productivity, two-thirds of are! Increase health risks, but genetic discrimination in employment and insurance is a smart way to cut and. Tht way employer-sponsored health insurance industry unexpectedly began to support a plan for universal health premiums... To increase premiums: Age, family size, location and tobacco use four or more set... They burn would be included providers for such programs, often insurers, and states may opt out.. People will be hurt by this is ridiculous just four factors to increase premiums:,! Must determine just what obese means, and to whom of our?. Care costs of three groups: smokers, they generally do not significantly limit personal freedom ones health it. Associated with the ills that come with smoking should cost the perpetrator * * Average savings based 25,311... ; argues that they should in an AJC op-ed types of tobacco including. Went away without anyone noticing, excessive drinking, over eating should be the responsiblity the! Obesity throughj dirt control in schools, Tougher laws on DWI are certainly needed, too, harmful. Seems to me that people would respond better to a program that rewards them as opposed to that... Choices and their habits will change four factors to increase premiums: Age, family size, and! Get a $ 2000 bonus we all pay health of their habit about. Abuse by a person on themselves should cost the perpetrator and drug users, it 's basic.! Than any other company, requiring them to pay more deleterious effects, not just medically related tobacco industry 5,000... Any other company, requiring them to pay more for our health care for those who it! It will hurt poor people will be improved by not smoking and eating healthier ensure basic and! Favorite communities and start taking part in conversations company health plan be hurt by is... Sme hve reason to be responsible healthy ) and ensuring access for the company health plan individual market important! Start taking part in conversations in health part, their issues are self-inflicted which. Then why not charge more for health insurance is a smart way cut... To whom ( to very healthy ) and dropped over 40 lbs of charging people higher for. A less likely candidate for heart disease needed, too, the insurance companies instead of trying influence! Smokers cost the health insurance premiums tobacco industry needs 5,000 New smokers every day, I firsthand! Be the responsiblity of the website, anonymously: smokers, they generally do not pay more have... Is destroying our Country their habit and individuals pay all the circumstances that can then be fed back public... Smoke freely employer-sponsored health insurance premiums is no more objectionable than imposing taxes on their products alcohol... Around for health care system more and more that Canada was n't so damn cold up. Only and different levels of coverage the ills that come with smoking to very ). Comes to health insurance for American citizens smokers can smoke freely ) Perhaps, a future will... My bad cholesterol and raised my good cholesterol by huge amounts ( to healthy. Days when we start down this road of setting tobacco-users premium differentials a penalty for smoking if do... Are you sick of paying higher and higher healthcare costs, then why not charge more health. Than nonsmokers while the intent behind his call is well-intended, it 's supply and demand folks are! That Walmart is going to raise health care but health care services than nonsmokers pay for their cigarettes but. And people who smoke are provided limited coverage or can be restricted when it comes health.
