should smokers pay more for health insurance debate

Good Question! I think popular Cable News Personalities should pay more for Health Care. If smokers opt out of health insurance this could have a detrimental impact on their access to health care and negatively impact their health and well-being. Fiscal cliff = Thelma & Louise? People who've had children out of wedlock, because clearly they didn't use protection, and also put themselves at risk for disease? However, she says, as long as the program is correctly implemented and complies with federal and state laws, employers should have no concerns. But do ethicists belong at the table? Should smokers and fat people pay more for health care? A natural response . Every month, you calculate what you might have spent on health insurance had the individual been a smoker or obese and give them half. And harmful behaviors and habits that contribute directly to increased medical bills are a natural, and tempting, target. This commentary sets the article by Dubois on the ethical justification for charging higher insurance premiums for people with unhealthy lifestyles in the context of US health care . Last month, I rotated in the Bronx at a federally qualified health center. came here to say this, and I agree. All Rights Reserved. Most insurance plans cover smoking-cessation programs. Compare Club Australia Pty Ltd (CCA) is a corporate authorised representative (AFS Representative number 001279036) of Alternative Media Pty Ltd (AFS License number 486326). Good thing it doesn't control health care costs for its customers, or it would lose most of its business. Since we are now talking about doing that, it is only a matter of time before that happens. Welcome to CCI. This is nothing more than the back door legitimizing of a caste system, when dynamics such as this are put into effect it simply cements classist elements into our society. Should fat people and smokers pay more for healthcare insurance? Last time I checked, the cost of doing a lap around the block or taking the stairs for a change is free. However, until we do the same for alcoholics and drug users, it is unconstitutional. 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. Should Texas be allowed to secede from the union? Read New York Citys Involuntary Commitment Plan: Fulfilling a Moral Obligation? Guess who has to indirectly pick up that tab. According to the utilitarian argument, charging smokers more will encourage them to quit, which will improve public health and reduce societys smoking-related costs. This echoed the findings of a2012 survey of 1213 Australians,in which 73 per cent of respondents believedin the same principle. The illnesses caused by smoking are unspeakably cruel and medical costs are out of sight. No. Most Americans believe smokers and obese people should pay more for health insurance, but they have mixed views on how to help the millions without any health insurance, according. Jack, when we start down this road of charging people higher premiums based on the choices they make where does it end. Why are we paying more and getting less? Jack ~ Sorry to answer your question with another question, but it is relevant. 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. A sign promotes COVID-19 vaccines at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital on August 10, 2021 in Lake Charles . Anti-cancer groups and the tobacco industry have effectively joined forces to prevent some of the new insurance exchanges from implementing a surcharge for smokers. What to do next? There should be more places where only smokers can smoke freely. 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. Then, would not liquor users be the next target. We are delighted that you'd like to resume your subscription. For individual health plans the kind you buy on your own the Affordable Care Act lets insurance companies charge 50 percent higher premiums for smokers than nonsmokers. 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. 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. And critics of higher rates for smokers say the practice can make health insurance unaffordable for many, especially those with lower incomes. Good question. Anyone can get sick or get cancer, have a horrid wreck and we all should have the same rates. Sure they should, as long as drinkers and potheads follow suit. Insurance comp. And people who drive more than others, people who work 3 jobs, people who don't work enough, people who drink too much, those that don't drink enough. You will be notified in advance of any changes in rate or terms. Some large corporations are telling their employees if they smoke they will have to pay more for their health insurance. Its all about personal responsibility..If you are unwilling to maintain a healthy lifestyle then you should be paying more than those of us who work at it..I am tired of paying high premiums to support those who don't care about their health -time to pay the piper ! New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. I am a physician and behavioral scientist at Duke University. smokers and overweight individuals (among many others) require more healthcare services and resources than healthy individuals. Image via iStock, long list of serious and often life-threatening health impacts. Lord knows this country needs both. If you are knowingly putting your health at risk you should be forced to pay more for your insurance. Some loss mitigation is appropirate. Life insurance premiums are based on your health risk for insurance providers. 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. Reuters reports a growing number of companies are raising health care costs for so-called unhealthy employees. as for fat people, for many, like some of my wife's relatives, it's a medical condition and being charged more for healthcare would be a "double wammy". In The Cure for Politicized Pediatric Gender Care, Moti Gorin argues that a U.S.-based systematic review, conducted by a trusted major medical organization such as the National Institutes of Health or the National Academy of Medicine, is needed to develop consistent standards for pediatric gender care. Increasingly, companies are answering yes, and asking smokers to pay higher health insurance premiums than their non-smoking colleaguesor even not hiring them altogether. Directionally people need to be responsible for their choices. Pomona CA, That is disgrace full answer to ask abt fat people, wht happen to people feeling. So why can't people with bad health habits be considered high risks also. This means you're less likely to wind up in hospital with a serious disease caused by smoking; in turn, this puts a reduced burden on your wallet. They already spend more money, on cigs and food, than I do. It is legal for smokers to be charged more for employer-sponsored health insurance in most instances. What about motorcyclists or people who jog at night wearing all black like an asshole? A better, but less dramatic solution is to continue an all-out assault on both alcohol abuse and production of food with too much sugar through education, public service, health providers and organizations. If we single out those addictive diseases such as smoking and over eating, then why not single out those who eat fast food, those who use alcohol or recreational drugs, and why not charge the poorest of our society more as proper nutrition and hygiene are often less available. In addition, the ACA tries to make insurance affordable for more people by subsidizing the price of their insurance. 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. After all they are more likely to have higher health care costs! So if you can get people to quit these expensive habits how in the hell are you hurting them? Kytlehas extensive experience in client counseling, including matters involving employment practices, employee discipline, and wage and hour matters. Pharmaceutical companies charge a fortune for the same drugs they export to countries that charge less for them. Don't destroy me, it was just an interesting thought I had when thinking about government health care. They are using 25% more insurance, they should be paying 25% more! Read Should Ethicists Be at the Table in Public Health Policy Deliberations? One commenter mentioned there being an extra tax on cigarettes in certain countries that went towards their universal healthcare fund. The surcharge makes it economically rational for many smokers to say no to health insurance. Since fat people and smokers will die at an earlier age no need to pay more for insurance, since they wont be paying for it much longer. It is affordable and available, people choosing not to purchase increase costs for everyone else as the providers must have money to cover their cost. RELATED:Theres something in your fridge thats just as ageing as smoking, Its not hard to see why people think this way; smoking has been linked to a long list of serious and often life-threatening health impacts, including lung damage, raised blood pressure and reduced blood flow, reduced bone density and increased risk of several cancers. Is that what we want for healthcare? According to insurance companies, it appears that simply living and breathing is a good cause to raise premiums. (As usual, check state and local laws to be sure.) 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. Sign upfor free. Why should someone who has lived a healthy lifestyle pay for someone who has chosen not to? Weston gives this example: Say, for instance, your health insurance benefits cost the company $1,000 a month. I Jack gain weight if I try to live on 500, 1000, or even 1500 calories a day. After all, those type of people are much more likely to run up high doctor bills. a reasonable alternative such as attending educational classes must be given to employees for whom it is unreasonably difficult to stop smoking. Anyone regularly eating more calories than they burn would be included. These of course probably don't have insurance at all. Therefore, any reliance placed on the information provided on the CompareClub website is at the user's own risk. Starting next year, Wal-Mart will charge employees who smoke higher premiums, along with offering a free program to help them quit. 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. Why would they stop there? life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all, jack. execept for those fat people and smokers. The idea that poor people will be hurt by this is ridiculous. then you need to curb the amount being used. Besides they can take the money they save by adopting healthy habits and have more spending money. Protecting reproductive rights: the importance of abortion training for medical trainees, Physician speaks out about being threatened by a patient and betrayed by an organization. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. How many that do smoke get a physical on a yearl basis? I think educating them is. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Whats a company secret you can share now that you dont What quietly went away without anyone noticing? It's a slippery slope. These people should be paying more money for health insurance. No one should be able to tell an adult that she cant spend her hard-earned money on cigarettes. Get fat on steroids from their asthama? If Australia responded to popular demand and moved towards a risk-based system, smokers could find themselves facing higher premiums. A recent survey found that 2 out of 3 Australians believed that smokers and people with other unhealthy habits should pay more for their health cover. I don't need or want Health Insurance. Responsible people who exercise and try to enhance their health should have greatly discounted rates. instead of providing serious programs to educate, This is self-inflicted risk that clearly results in higher medical costs. In most cases, employees could qualify by participating in a wellness program or a smoking cessation class. It seems to me that people would respond better to a program that rewards them as opposed to one that punishes them. 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. The key difference between life insurance for smokers and non-smokers is the likelihood of being accepted and the cost. Whether you are comparing health insurance quoteson your own or get coverage through your employer, you could pay more if you smoke. In most cases, obesity is a self-inflicting decease. No one, not even the near dead, should pay MORE to these vultures. By charging smokers higher health insurance rates, insurance companies can make people pay a price for the risks they take. 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. In fact, smokers hurt non-smokers by racking up healthcare expenses brought on by the hazards of their habit. Click Manage settings for more information and to manage your choices. Probably, as long as it does not lead to a denial of care or rates so high that they go uninsured. 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.. It's not about health, it's about money. (if applicable) for The Wall Street Journal. Pepperell, MA. Although my company does not provide anything to assist me with these items, there is plenty of free and low cost assistance on both items. Let's return to the days when we went to the doctor when we could afford it. Well, the creators of the Affordable Care Act (or the ACA, a.k.a. The arguments against charging smokers higher insurance rates appeal to considerations of social justice and fairness. It's about personal responsibility. And while you're at it tax them MORE too..its only fair. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We're both fat, and we both smoke. Thus, in the name of anti-discrimination (tobacco lobby) and ensuring access for the poor (the anti-cancer groups). Sure, as well as people with over active tyroids, and underactive thyroids, and those with ADHD, and those on high blood pressure medicine, and anyone with a pre-existing condition including acne, as some insurance companies rate it. 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. If you choose to inhale smoke and you choose to eat fast food and unhealthy crap in vast quantities, then you choose to pay more for healthcare. With the rising cost of health insurance putting a financial squeeze on companies and their employees, some companies now charge smokers more for their health insurance than for non-smokers (assuming, of course, that the company even offers health insurance as a benefit). 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. Isn't it time somebody DONE somthing about this stuff ?! 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. Private health insurance for smokers - Do they pay more? I don't like the idea of making anyone pay more (people pay enough as it is), I think discounts for good behavior would be appropriate. 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. What is a creepy fact about the human body? You can change your choices at any time by visiting your privacy controls. Around 70% of people who have a college degree (or a higher degree), also said they were in support of charging smokers more for health insurance. Loss prevention, however, reserves care for those who need it. If someone makes bad choices I shouldn't be penalized for it. 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. Radley Balko's alter ego "Randy" argues that they should in an AJC op-ed. They should foot the bill for the fat and un-healthy. Read A Warning from China: After the Zero Covid Policy. Hell, those poor little insurance companies shouldn't have to pay for anything. Australia's private health cover system is community rated, which means that people get the same price for a policy no matter their age, gender, or health status. Or enjoy cook outs eating hamburgers and hot dogs? Not surprisingly, implementing a differential does involve some risk. The table below shows the price comparison of a smoker vs a non-smoker in good health. Adult film star Ron Jeremy found unable to stand trial for rape How about a history of premature births or child development problems in the family? Well you ask for my opinion!!". An alternative might be to give those of us non-smokers and who are not obese a discount. Yes, I think they should be part of any risk pool their state has. Then He Blurted out without being called upon. The onus falls on the employer to be very clear [about] what theyre doing.. charge higher insurance premiums to employees who smoke, and some companies refuse to hire smokers. This is disgracefull question to ask abt fat people, sme hve reason to be tht way. Both goals are important and necessary in todays business climate. This is exactly why Australia maintains a community-rated system, so the sick aren't priced out of health cover. A person with emphsema is a tremendous cost to the health care system and it is primarily caused by smoking. On the Ground, Its More Complicated. You just have to give a damn. 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Used to store the user Consent for the poor ( the anti-cancer groups ) get coverage through your employer you! Or even 1500 calories a day motorcyclists or people who jog at night wearing all black an! Price comparison of a smoker vs a non-smoker in good health attending educational classes must be given to employees whom... Todays business climate Performance '' legal for smokers, your health risk for insurance.. Charge less for them somebody DONE somthing about this stuff? for their choices ; Randy & ;... Would respond better to a denial of care or rates so high that they should foot the bill the. Australians, in the category `` Performance '' should, as long as drinkers and potheads follow.. The bill for the fat and un-healthy return to the doctor when we could afford it you hurting?. Hve reason to be charged more for your insurance cancer, have a horrid wreck and both. & quot ; Randy & quot ; Randy & quot ; Randy & ;. Manage your choices at any time by visiting your privacy controls Memorial Hospital on August 10, 2021 Lake... Reserves care for those who need it including matters involving employment practices, discipline. State has company $ 1,000 a month smoke get a physical on a yearl basis smokers... Better to a denial of care or rates so high that they go uninsured privacy controls practices... Habits that contribute directly to increased medical bills are a natural, and agree! Someone who has lived a healthy lifestyle pay for someone who has not!