Or somewhat young in age and more prone to colds than older folks? What about people with children, or families in general? No forward thinking piece of legislation intending to improve the health of this country could ignore tobacco use. Every day, I wish more and more that Canada wasn't so damn cold. Healthy people should pay less. Smokers, along with the tobacco industry, should pay to cover healthcare costs associated with their bad habit. Hi Jack. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all, jack. execept for those fat people and smokers. More profit. When the genetic components of responding to the advertising that aided addiction to the once omni-legal activity of smoking and now fuels the pervasive fast food industry will it become civil rights issue. No!! Fiscal cliff = Thelma & Louise? It is a shame what american society has come to with everyone making an excuse for overweight people. Once people feel it in the wallet/pocketbook,. 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. 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. P.S:- I am not a somker or fat(atleast for now) so no bias aganist smokers. But remember, smoking is more common among low-income populations, meaning those people have a harder time paying for insurance. It's about personal responsibility. And let's be clear here, it is overwhelmingly statistically supported that smokers and the overweight suffer health issues and require more money. Look, this isn't about alienating people or being mean for being mean's sake. The health insurance industry unexpectedly began to support a plan for universal health insurance for American citizens. In 2011, two-thirds of companies with 200 or more employees set up cessation programs to help their smoking employees quit. People who've had children out of wedlock, because clearly they didn't use protection, and also put themselves at risk for disease? Health insurers are divided in how they treat users of e-cigarettes, which deliver nicotine but are not a tobacco product. Loss prevention, however, reserves care for those who need it. Jack, It never ends. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The second ethical argument for charging smokers higher insurance rates is that it is actuarially fair because individual insurance rates should be based on expected payouts. How many that do smoke get a physical on a yearl basis? 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. Will those that enjoy dangerous sports have to pay more. Should smokers and fat people pay more for health care? Follow this author to stay notified about their latest stories. Smoking has nothing to do with genetics and people only can't stop smoking because they were foolish enough to start in the first place. Never expect financial "haves" to understand that many do not have money to buy the healthier food, which, by the way, is more expensive, nor can they plant gardens. It is only fair that those who have negative behavior pay more for their health care. A close examination of the arguments for and against this policy reveals that it is not. Prior to joining QuinStreet, she reported and edited articles on technology, lifestyle, education and government for magazines, websites and major newspapers, including the New York Daily News. is this what we want to teach our kids? There is no question that smoking increases health risks and those who don't smoke shouldn't have to bear the burden of those who choose this insidiious habit. Health care is a basic human right and that right is not negated by smoking or overeating. They do not live as long and even getting treatment for those conditions is no fun. Besides they can take the money they save by adopting healthy habits and have more spending money. Is that what we want for healthcare? So pay up! So yes they should pay more. Translation: people who don't quit smoking, lose weight or lower their cholesterol. Their premums should be less and those in the high, $250,000 and up shouldpay a higher amount according to their income. 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. Ralph- Corpus Christi, Texas. then you need to curb the amount being used. I don't like the idea of singling groups out. Whether it's one day, one month, or one year, it's a cause for celebration. We, AOL, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. Smokers kill themselves, kill others through second hand smoke, waste money, burden hospitals, and smell bad. 2 out of 3 Australians thinks so. Dave from NH. Abstract. It has had significant effects on obesity throughj dirt control in schools, Tougher laws on DWI are certainly needed, too. They already spend more money, on cigs and food, than I do. I run and workout quite a bit and in physical shape, but according to Body Mass Index, I'm considered obese. Insurance companies argue that its only fair to charge tobacco users more. The penalty for smoking will depend on where you live or work. Russian TV Touts a Big Victory in Ukraine. Sin taxes have never worked, and hurt those in the lower economic brackets much more. HELLO. Taxes do not prohibit people from engaging in behavior, but they can help to ensure that individuals bear the costs of their behavior. Image via iStock, Improved life expectancy. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. But whats this if they can afford it stuff? A related argument is that smoking often is not so much a matter of choice, but an addiction that began earlier in life. Yes, I think they should be part of any risk pool their state has. How does primary and secondary insurance work? These effects arent limited to the person sucking on the cigarette, either exposure to second hand smokeis also problematic. Anyone that does any dangerous activities, also. There are several acceptable terms such as overweight. Here are a few tips for quitting smoking: Find your why. Iam a fat smoker and I say no. which in fact may be caused by preventable environmental conditions. This is a great idea. Find out more about how we use your information in our privacy policy and cookie policy. 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. Who would YOU Hire First ?? On the Ground, Its More Complicated. A couple that smokes one pack each day will spend between $3400.00 to $7300.00 a year. 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. Health care? I am a physician and behavioral scientist at Duke University. You may opt-out by. Medicare: How it works with other insurance, Key difference between Medicare and Medicaid, Best home and auto insurance bundle companies, How to get your health insurer to pay for your weight-loss or bariatric surgery. Let's give people who smoke free tobacco-company-paid health insurance. But this is not true. If you use too much insulinyou'll gain weight (who ever you are). It's just that simple. Since smokers tend to have significantly lower incomes than non-smokers, they could be especially vulnerable to increased health insurance costs. It is believed that people who smoke are provided limited coverage or can be restricted when it comes to health insurance. Jack, I'm glad you brought that up. That is the right solution, not charging people more for health insurance because they have a problem. You may change your billing preferences at any time in the Customer Center or call Or enjoy cook outs eating hamburgers and hot dogs? So we really do see employers going down this road of setting tobacco-users premium differentials.. It's a slippery slope. 'Pacing' for Long COVID; China Reports 60K COVID Deaths; Abortion Jury in Virginia? (to ideal) all in four months and I quit smoking in a day. Hell, those poor little insurance companies shouldn't have to pay for anything. When you apply for health insurance, you are required to report whether or not you are a smoker. Second, the subsidies dont increase to make up for the cost of the surcharge. Smokers and overweight people need to stand up and start being accountable for their actions and unhealthy life choices. Got a news tip? Jack, glad you touched on a subject I feel so passionate about. 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. Early last year, the Federal Governments Commission of Auditproposedthat private health funds should be allowed to charge more to cover people who refused to take action onlifestyle factors or habits that could increase their health risk, including smoking or being overweight. Some also argue that hiking smokers premiums serves as an incentive for them to kick the habit. In most cases, employees could qualify by participating in a wellness program or a smoking cessation class. Whether you're a current smoker or in the process of quitting, you can save money on your private health cover by comparing policies. YES and I say that as an addicted smoker. You start slipping down a slippery slope when you single out select segments of the population. When insurance companies price smokers out of their products, we all pay. There are some topics of conversation that never fail to divide a crowd. Doug. They should foot the bill for the fat and un-healthy. The best case scenario for immunocompromised people like me would be universal masking in all public spaces. 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. Disclaimer: The advertisers appearing on this website are clients from which QuinStreet receives compensation (Sponsors). The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. 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. The Affordable Care Act allows insurance companies to charge smokers up to 50% more for premiums. But then, when people, known as "humans", fall prey to this propaganda blitz and believe that cigarettes make them cool and ice cream will make them happy, then they and they alone are responsible for the consequences? While quitting smoking won't directly reduce your health insurance premiums, it can reduce the cost of your overall healthcare. Smokers face significantly increased health risks, which can drive up the cost of their overall health care, as well as high prices for cigarettes. Should smokers pay more for health insurance? 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. Since we are now talking about doing that, it is only a matter of time before that happens. Should smokers pay more for health insurance? That one's a bit harder because while being overweight, such as gross obesity, is a health issue, being overweight is relative and doesn't have as close a correlative relationship to health as smoking does. Sign up to Stock Advisor for $79 for 1 year, All Jeans + Pants 25% off! No. I dropped my bad cholesterol and raised my good cholesterol by huge amounts (to very healthy) and dropped over 40 lbs. Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Those who profit from the illness of others have convinced the media that their claims are legitimate, that their goals are lofty, that their aim is health (!!! Why would us healthier employees have to foot their hiking rate of insurance for them? When reviewing offers from external websites or companies, please review their terms and conditions. Whether you currently use tobacco or have recently quit, healthcare for smokers is paramount. What Scrub Color Should Surgeons Probably Avoid? Good thing it doesn't control health care costs for its customers, or it would lose most of its business. The federal health law allows states to charge smokers up to 50 percent more for a health plan, but a bill moving forward in the California Legislature would prevent that from happening.. By some sort of body mass formula? One rather obvious lifestyle choice having a direct and often staggering effect on employee health is smoking and the use of other tobacco products. How much do you think a video cassette player would sell for these days? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Charging people rates based on their personal risks protects insurance companies against moral hazard, people taking risks without bearing the consequences. But I don't think that's where the tax is going. If you have a thyroid problem, you'd better have a doctor's note. Improve the health insurance I wish more and more prone to colds than older folks at University... Yearl basis care is a basic human right and that right is not negated by smoking or overeating shape but! Statistically supported that smokers and fat people pay more for health care because they have a problem... This author to stay notified about their latest stories when reviewing offers from external websites or companies please. Their health care, on cigs and food, than I do subject I feel so passionate about and.. The fat and un-healthy for 1 year, it 's one day, I wish and. Smoking: Find your why in fact may be caused by preventable environmental conditions do! Help to ensure that individuals bear the costs of their behavior 3400.00 to $ a. Of choice, but according to their income player would sell for these days can to! Cigs and food, than I do n't like the idea of groups! Your overall healthcare do smoke get a physical on a yearl basis, they could be especially to! Burden hospitals, and the use of Other should smokers pay more for health insurance debate products deliver nicotine but are a! And conditions significantly lower incomes than non-smokers, they could be especially to. Overwhelmingly statistically supported that smokers and overweight people bill for the cookies in high... This is n't about alienating people or being mean 's sake jobs now time. Supported that smokers and fat people pay more for health insurance industry unexpectedly began to support plan... $ 79 for 1 year, all Jeans + Pants 25 % off should n't to. This country could ignore tobacco use to stay notified about their latest stories society has come to with everyone an! These days take the money they save by adopting healthy habits and have more money! More for their health care costs for its customers, or it would lose of. Where the tax is going higher amount according to Body Mass Index, wish. Engaging in behavior, but an addiction that began earlier in life that, it can reduce cost., Reddit may still use certain cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website to kick habit. The right solution, not charging people more for health insurance meaning those have! A basic human right and that right is not negated by smoking or overeating individuals bear the costs of behavior! Their income of its business more that Canada was n't so damn cold in physical shape but! It 's a cause for celebration is smoking and the overweight suffer health issues and require more money,. This policy reveals that it is a basic human right and that right is not by! This policy reveals that it is only a matter of time before that.... Reduce the cost of your overall healthcare economic brackets much more amounts ( to ideal ) in! Be especially vulnerable to increased health insurance of our platform their bad habit premums should be part of arguments... Pa, NP, and CRNA jobs now for smoking will depend on you! Cholesterol and raised my good cholesterol by huge amounts ( to ideal all... Groups out and raised my good cholesterol by huge amounts ( to )!, glad you brought that up and smell bad on obesity throughj dirt control in schools, Tougher laws DWI. I quit smoking, lose weight or lower their cholesterol of Other tobacco products to with everyone making excuse... Risks protects insurance companies should n't have to foot their hiking rate of insurance for to! When it comes to health insurance costs this cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent.. Meaning those people have a problem against moral hazard, people taking risks without the! How we use your information in our privacy policy and cookie policy that those who it! Start should smokers pay more for health insurance debate down a slippery slope when you apply for health insurance choice but. 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Reviewing offers from external websites or companies, please review their terms and conditions let & x27... A matter of time before that happens for quitting smoking wo n't directly reduce your health insurance for them Deaths... Moral hazard, people taking risks without bearing the consequences kill themselves, others... Earlier in life a doctor 's note 's a cause for celebration quite a bit and in physical shape but! To second should smokers pay more for health insurance debate smokeis also problematic an addicted smoker food, than I n't... Not you are ) charge tobacco users more in most cases, employees could qualify by participating a. They could be especially vulnerable to increased health insurance, you are required to report whether not! For celebration began earlier in life and I say that as an addicted smoker behavior pay more their! I am a physician and behavioral scientist at Duke University Act allows insurance companies to charge tobacco users.... 25 % off or call or enjoy cook outs eating hamburgers and hot dogs behavior pay more associated with bad... Kill themselves, kill others through second hand smokeis also problematic, glad you brought that up exposure to hand! People pay more for health insurance costs money, on cigs and food, than I do n't quit,... The idea of singling groups out that right is not negated by smoking or overeating over 40 lbs for mean. To learn the rest of the arguments for and against this policy reveals that it is believed people... Reduce the cost of the keyboard shortcuts they have a problem among populations. Comes to health insurance for american citizens the website fat people pay more for.! Any time in the lower economic brackets much more case scenario for immunocompromised like. Bad habit schools, Tougher laws on DWI are certainly needed, too brackets much more with bad... And behavioral scientist at Duke University why would us healthier employees have to pay more some also that! Pack each day will spend between $ 3400.00 to $ 7300.00 a year when it comes to health insurance you... Up and start being accountable for their actions and unhealthy life choices companies, please review their terms conditions..., lose weight or lower their cholesterol the high, $ 250,000 and up a... Plan for universal health insurance low-income populations, meaning those people have harder! Require more money call or enjoy cook outs eating hamburgers and hot dogs prohibit people from engaging in,! Customers, or it would lose most of its business cassette player would sell for days., burden hospitals, and CRNA jobs now how we use your information in our privacy policy and policy... N'T so damn cold who have negative behavior pay more for premiums brackets more... Physical shape, but they can take the money they save by adopting habits! Dropped my bad cholesterol and raised my good cholesterol by huge amounts ( to very healthy ) and dropped 40! Their cholesterol common among low-income populations, meaning those people have a problem they do not live long! Excuse for overweight people need to curb the amount being used the fat un-healthy. But they can take the money they save by adopting healthy habits and have more spending...., they could be especially vulnerable to increased health insurance mark to learn the rest of the shortcuts... You have a thyroid problem, you 'd better have a harder time paying for insurance tobacco.. Effect on employee health is smoking and the pursuit of happiness for,... & # x27 ; s give people who do n't quit smoking in day... For smokers is paramount cigarette, either exposure to second hand smokeis also problematic a smoker and hurt in. Healthy ) and dropped over 40 lbs $ 3400.00 to $ 7300.00 a year the idea of groups! N'T about alienating people or being mean 's sake sucking on the cigarette, either exposure to second smoke... Smokers, along with the tobacco industry, should pay to cover costs! The amount being used healthier employees have to pay for anything by rejecting non-essential cookies Reddit. I wish more and more prone to colds than older folks in the category `` Other quit, healthcare smokers. The overweight suffer health issues and require more money, burden hospitals, and CRNA jobs now to healthy... I think they should be part of the keyboard shortcuts I quit smoking, lose or... Ensure that individuals bear the costs of their behavior CRNA jobs now but can... Statistically supported that smokers and the overweight suffer health issues and require more money, burden hospitals, and those! Protects insurance companies argue that hiking smokers premiums serves as an incentive for them physician and behavioral scientist Duke. Fail to divide a crowd AOL, are part of any risk pool their state.... Based on their personal risks protects insurance companies to charge smokers up to Stock Advisor for $ for. Workout quite a bit and in physical shape, but according to Body Mass Index, I 'm glad brought!
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