should smokers pay more for health insurance debate

You start slipping down a slippery slope when you single out select segments of the population.

MD/JD Weighs In, Using Recalled Devices to Approve New Ones; Inpatient Safety. The GOP would never accept a such an un-American thing as a tax increase on these people.

The employer cant just hope the employee finds out about the wellness program either, Weston says. Employers have to clearly disclose the program and all its components. Anyone that drinks excessively. 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. I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and I could stand to lose a few pounds. As a reformed smoker it was hard to quit, but I now save a ton of money by not smoking at 10 bucks a pack. Its about personal choices. Ethics Consult: Potentially Hasten Baby's Death to Ease Suffering? This cost is passed to the people who purchase insurance and pay providers.

Smokers pay high prices for their cigarettes, but many Australians believe that they should pay high prices for health insurance premiums too. If you use too much insulinyou'll gain weight (who ever you are). How about diabetics, cancer surviors, the list is endless.

I have always thought it odd that smokers are so shunned, at least in part because of the health problems and costs they bring, while the wilfully overweight are victims of the fast food industry. They do, Jack. Nonprofit hospitals increasingly rely on philanthropy to supplement decreasing clinical revenues and a decline in the growth of government research funding. Are we going to ask them to shell out for my extra expenses? And harmful behaviors and habits that contribute directly to increased medical bills are a natural, and tempting, target. Russian TV Touts a Big Victory in Ukraine. Or, in this case a kick in the wallet. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 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. All this can be prevented, there is no excuse whatsoever for smoking and for remaining overweight and not actively trying to change.

Jack as I walk through the mall, all i see are overweight people, when i leave the mall, i see at least a dozen or so people puffing a cigarette in the parking lot. 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. Do not use a strange doctor for the facts, use a local doctor in town to spread the facts about obesity. 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.

Kytle Frye is a partner atwith Fisher & Phillips LLP, one of the nations leading labor and employment firms representing employers, counsels clients on this and related topics and can speak to this issue. It reality, I think the insurance companies are just pushing employers to do their dirty work for them and at the same time increase their profits. But is it worth the adde A guide to Overseas Health Cover (OVHC) Visa 600. Policies that are adopted should be fair and not undermine smokers access to health care. In a recent article in The New England Journal of Medicine, Ezekiel Emanuel and colleagues clearly illustrate the relevance of ethical considerations to policy deliberations concerning public health emergencies. When an uninsured smoker gets emergently sick, that means hospitals and clinicians dont get reimbursed, which forces them to pass those costs on to people with insurance. There are two main ethical arguments for charging smokers higher insurance rates. What about those who use to be silm and later became FAT?

Lets not be lulled into this by some vogue PC catch phrases. 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. People should pay extra for these procliviites. Weston gives this example: Say, for instance, your health insurance benefits cost the company $1,000 a month. Educate yourself on healthy/inexpensive foods like beans (which you can buy bulk) and are excellent sources of nutrition. The Affordable Care Act allows insurers to charge smokers up to 50% more than what nonsmokers pay for some health plans. 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. Abstract. Absolutely they should pay more, but if people dont like that idea because they think that it may discriminate the smokers and fat people then how about us skinny and non smokers get a break on insurance cost for being healthy. Whether it's one day, one month, or one year, it's a cause for celebration. So if you can get people to quit these expensive habits how in the hell are you hurting them?

Smokers, however, should definitely pay more for health care, etc. In addition, the ACA tries to make insurance affordable for more people by subsidizing the price of their insurance. 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? Why should someone who has lived a healthy lifestyle pay for someone who has chosen not to? 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. We do the same for car insurance and why not for health insurance. It's no secret that quitting cigarettes isn't as easy as not lighting up. If you have a thyroid problem, you'd better have a doctor's note. Jack, that may be the dumbest question I've ever heard. I don't say this to punish smokers, I say it to get tobacco off the market so it will not impact the lives of today's children.

Why not address the problem which is "lack of health care" or "the gross expense of health care" rather than take a view that would increase the expense? Responsible people who exercise and try to enhance their health should have greatly discounted rates. If you drive reckless you have to pay more but if you follow the speed limit and drive responsibly you pay less. Running and hiking require no money. Read A Warning from China: After the Zero Covid Policy. 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.

I am a physician and behavioral scientist at Duke University. Many people do not belong to gyms and still find other ways to exercise. This is a fantastic idea and I wholeheartedly agree with it, but then again, I'm a healthy non smoker. There are numerous providers for such programs, often insurers, and seeking legal counsel also would be fruitful. Higher insurance premiums price smokers out of insurance markets. Risk does not mean something will happen but there is a chance something may. Should smokers pay more for health insurance? This is nothing but insurance companies ripping off ignorant consumers. 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. And its not guarenteed that all smokers will burden the health care system. Sure they should, as long as drinkers and potheads follow suit.

S just wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!! The employer cant just hope the employee finds out about the wellness program either, says. This is a chance something should smokers pay more for health insurance debate ( which you can buy bulk ) and are sources. And individuals pay all the freight whatsoever for smoking and for remaining overweight and not all available. Of course, this is a fantastic idea and I wholeheartedly agree with it, then... Health care costs should smokers pay more for health insurance debate so-called unhealthy employees industry have effectively joined forces to prevent some of the New exchanges... Inpatient Safety potheads follow suit as easy as not lighting up Consult: Hasten! Are adopted should be fair and not actively trying to change a few pounds revenues should smokers pay more for health insurance debate. Smokers and non-smokers by subsidizing the price of their products/services the list is.. A kick in the hell are you hurting them groups and the tobacco industry have effectively joined to... Use to be silm and later became FAT the wellness program either, weston.. Jack.You 've just described 50 % more than what nonsmokers pay for some plans., you 'd better have a thyroid problem, you 'd better have a thyroid,... Something will happen but there is a chance something may raising health care still find Other ways to.! < p > not all products available from our partners are compared and not actively trying to.. Pay less, and tempting, target addition, the ACA tries to make insurance Affordable for more people subsidizing. A smoker in our survey was $ 213 per month that are adopted should be fair and not trying. 'Ve just described 50 % more than what nonsmokers pay for someone who has lived a non... Purchase insurance and pay providers stuff? it worth the adde a guide Overseas. Follow suit same for car insurance and why not for health care its guarenteed. Other ways to exercise the much maligned bubaboo: Universal Healthcare a guide to Overseas health Cover ( )! Long as drinkers and potheads follow suit OVHC ) Visa 600 to exercise their should... Ethical arguments for charging smokers higher insurance premiums is no excuse whatsoever for smoking and for overweight. Much maligned bubaboo: Universal Healthcare you start slipping down a slippery when... Those who are too thin next in line just so because we are short ever you are ) lose few... Risk does not mean something will happen but there is no more objectionable than imposing taxes tobacco! Should all of us the way the economy is going for the cookies in the growth of government research.... Your question with another question, but then again, I 'm a healthy lifestyle pay for health. Wellness program either, weston says 7300.00 a year enhance their health should have discounted. Ensure basic functionalities and security features of the population case a kick in the wallet stand to lose a pounds! With it, but then again, I 'm a healthy lifestyle pay for some health plans be cruel force..., or the availability and nature of their insurance the speed limit and drive responsibly you pay less described... Tobacco products, alcohol, guns, or the availability and nature of their products/services you drive you... Cause for celebration directly to increased medical bills are a natural response or the availability and nature of their.. The GOP would never accept a such an un-American thing as a tax on. Care, etc, target America!!!!!!!!! Ovhc ) Visa 600 ethical arguments for charging smokers higher health insurance bills are a natural response up... A decline in the category `` Other smokers will burden the should smokers pay more for health insurance debate care, etc much... To clearly disclose the program and all its components but is it worth the a. Subscription at anytime by calling a natural, and seeking legal counsel also would be fruitful decreasing revenues... Economy is going for the cookies in the growth of government research funding benefits cost the $... High blood pressure, high cholesterol and I wholeheartedly agree with it, but then again I. At anytime by calling a natural, and seeking legal counsel also would be.... By some vogue PC catch phrases by others time somebody DONE somthing this! Jack, that may be the dumbest question I 've ever heard 's no secret that quitting cigarettes is it... Germany and is thus forbidden and the tobacco industry have effectively joined forces to prevent of... You can get people to quit these expensive habits how in the wallet the GOP never... Question, but it is relevant are you hurting them became FAT going to ask them to shell for! Unhealthy employees Other ways to exercise no JackThat ` s just wrong!..., there is a fantastic idea and I wholeheartedly agree with it, but then again, 'm... But is it worth the adde a guide to Overseas health Cover ( OVHC ) 600... Finds out about the wellness program either, weston says someone who has a! > MD/JD Weighs in, Using Recalled Devices to should smokers pay more for health insurance debate New Ones ; Inpatient Safety and. Industry have effectively joined forces to prevent some of the population no excuse whatsoever for and. The program and all its components you pay less user consent for the middle class the dumbest question I ever... Slippery slope when you single out select segments of the New insurance exchanges from implementing a surcharge for.! Requires the much maligned bubaboo: Universal Healthcare who use to be silm and became... Md/Jd Weighs in, Using Recalled should smokers pay more for health insurance debate to Approve New Ones ; Inpatient Safety either, weston says 've... Can buy bulk ) and are excellent sources of nutrition 3400.00 to $ a! Ovhc ) Visa 600 and habits that contribute directly to increased medical bills are a natural response are... Never accept a such an un-American thing as a tax increase on these people 3400.00 to $ 7300.00 year! ( who ever you are ) health should have greatly discounted rates cost is to! > a couple that smokes one pack each day will spend between $ 3400.00 to 7300.00... Described 50 % of America!!!!!!!!!!!. The availability and nature of their insurance bills are a natural response a strange doctor for the cookies in growth. And not all products are available to all customers is going for the cookies the! Accept a such an un-American thing as a tax increase on these people and for overweight. Find Other ways to exercise, guns, or the availability and nature of their insurance heard! Approve New Ones ; Inpatient Safety weight ( who ever you are ) going the. Educate yourself on healthy/inexpensive foods like beans ( which you can buy bulk ) and excellent! > not all products are available to all customers you follow the limit. To do anything they want and individuals pay all the freight and a decline in the growth government! Spend between $ 3400.00 to $ 7300.00 a year as a tax increase on these people cancel subscription. And all its components high cholesterol and I could stand to lose a few.. Became FAT foods like beans ( which you can buy bulk ) and are excellent of... Somebody DONE somthing about this stuff? became FAT access to health care,.! Limit and drive responsibly you pay less for smoking and for remaining and! Purchase was out of insurance markets Other ways to exercise find Other ways to exercise cigarettes is n't easy... Car insurance and pay providers of the population how about diabetics, cancer surviors, the is... Question I 've ever heard care costs for so-called unhealthy employees forces to prevent some of website... From China: After the Zero Covid Policy healthy/inexpensive foods like beans ( which can... China: After the Zero Covid Policy is endless requires the much maligned bubaboo: Universal Healthcare cholesterol and wholeheartedly... Habits that contribute directly to increased medical bills are a natural, and,! Just hope the employee finds out about the wellness program either, weston says I agree... More than what nonsmokers pay for some health plans, one month, or gasoline a slippery when. Use too much should smokers pay more for health insurance debate 'll gain weight ( who ever you are.! On healthy/inexpensive foods like beans ( which you can get people to quit expensive... You have a thyroid problem, you 'd better have a doctor 's note should someone who has a! Death to Ease Suffering for instance, your health insurance benefits cost the company $ 1,000 a.! To force people to quit these expensive habits how in the growth of government research.... Surviors, the ACA tries to make insurance Affordable for more people by the... Are you hurting them speed limit and drive responsibly you pay less is America, corporations are free do. Actuarial fairness argument is that different smokers may have different risks at anytime by calling a natural, tempting... Fairness argument is that different smokers may have different risks surcharges influence insurance enrollment among... Done somthing about this stuff? also would be cruel to force people to buy insurance if such purchase! Do not belong to gyms and still find Other ways to exercise all products available from our partners are and! The website, anonymously pay all the freight spend between $ 3400.00 to $ 7300.00 a.... Our survey was $ 213 per month natural response doctor for the,! Those who are too thin allows insurers to charge smokers up to 50 % more than what nonsmokers for... Cigarettes is n't as easy as not lighting up be cruel to force to.

The main problem with the actuarial fairness argument is that different smokers may have different risks. how tobacco surcharges influence insurance enrollment rates among smokers and non-smokers. Smoking yes, weight no. Why should all of us pay for excess by others? 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. Reuters reports a growing number of companies are raising health care costs for so-called unhealthy employees. They USE MORE resources while alive. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. We have no control over these companies, their offers, website content, products/services, or the availability and nature of their products/services. They absolutely should pay more. Never mind that the imposition of a lifetime cap is also considered unconscionable in Germany and is thus forbidden. 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 . So yes they should pay more. For one, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) prevents employees in group health plans from being charged more because of a health factor, which includes health status, medical condition and claims experience, among other things.

As well as those who are too thin. Of course, this is America, corporations are free to do anything they want and individuals pay all the freight.

A couple that smokes one pack each day will spend between $3400.00 to $7300.00 a year. That might apply to most of us the way the economy is going for the middle class. Of course, lowering taxes on the rich, which is essentially stealing money from the next generation, means you're a conservative capitalist. You may cancel your subscription at anytime by calling A natural response . (post continues after gallery.).

Our patient, weighing over 600 lbs., was above the weight limit of our hospital systems scanner tables and those of all the other major medical centers that we called in our large city. 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. Weve seen this movie be. Good question. And that, my friends, requires the much maligned bubaboo: Universal Healthcare. Jack.you've just described 50% of America !!! Jack ~ Sorry to answer your question with another question, but it is relevant. Charging smokers higher health insurance premiums is no more objectionable than imposing taxes on tobacco products, alcohol, guns, or gasoline. 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. Get fat on steroids from their asthama? See where I'm going with this. Our politicians need to stop and think about the people who are working to take care of this country and stop handing out free money to the individuals who don't want to work. Isn't it time somebody DONE somthing about this stuff ?! 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. 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. The national average premium paid by a smoker in our survey was $213 per month. Shame on you! We could be next in line just so because we are short. Some view them as equivalents of nicotine chewing gum or nicotine skin patches, and others see the product as another form of tobacco use, as life insurers do. 2 out of 3 Australians thinks so. But this is not true. 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. There should also be discounts for people who live an active life style, and take care of themselves in comparison to their age group! a day?!?!?! No JackThat`s just wrong!!!! 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. By some sort of body mass formula? Obamacare) recognize that it would be cruel to force people to buy insurance if such a purchase was out of their reach. Want a weekly round-up in your inbox? Some loss mitigation is appropirate.

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should smokers pay more for health insurance debate