For your family? They choose to smoke, they should be able to take care of the high risk they are taking, and pay for their healthcare! Prohibition proved that. Since smokers tend to have significantly lower incomes than non-smokers, they could be especially vulnerable to increased health insurance costs. SMoking, excessive drinking, over eating should be the responsiblity of the person who practices these activiites. 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? Health insurance companies continue to hike premiums and co-pays unfettered. Health care costs of smoking are expensive and smoking is reduced more to motivational determinants than to biological factors; the essay, therefore, recommends that smokers pay for their own health costs. 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. That goes against everything the Grand Old Party stands for. When reviewing offers from external websites or companies, please review their terms and conditions. when they need their Health Insurance". Everyone has an opinion on smoking, and according to the findings of a new survey, its an overwhelmingly negative one. Taking up smoking cessation programs by insurers lowers health insurance premiums for smokers. Of course they should pay more. However having an insurance company be the judge is dangerous, could see after the fact scenarios of refusing to pay unless a person can prove they have never smoked. It's just that simple. I don't smoke and am about 10lbs overweight. How to find good vaccine information online. However, there is a potential snowball effect that could wind up with young, healthy people paying peanuts, and elderly people being hit with huge bills for health cover. Kytlehas extensive experience in client counseling, including matters involving employment practices, employee discipline, and wage and hour matters. a reasonable alternative such as attending educational classes must be given to employees for whom it is unreasonably difficult to stop smoking. Smokers, yes. the reward is no more than 20 percent of the total premium; the program is reasonably designed to promote health and prevent disease; eligible employees must be given an opportunity to qualify for the reward at least once per year; and. These include, but are not limited to: man buns and beards; whether jam or cream goes first on a scone; the colour of The Dress; and smoking. Once you start separating the herd you'll need to take out sky divers, surfers, race car drivers, anorexics, clumsy people, etc., etc., etc. One recent survey shows the use of penalties is expected to climb next year to include almost 40% of large and medium-sized companies. If you are knowingly putting your health at risk you should be forced to pay more for your insurance. People smoke and never get cancer, people who do not smoke and have cancer, over weight people may be due to other medical problems and they already have problems trying to get insurance. And while you're at it tax them MORE too..its only fair. The Affordable Care Act allows just four factors to increase premiums: Age, family size, location and tobacco use. But that is private health-care, and we're talking about government health care(which I am not sure if I support or not). Walk. Add to prior comment: Employers, however, have no business even asking these questions and companies should be banned from forcing them to. No. 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. Will those that enjoy dangerous sports have to pay more. August 24, 2021. Why stop at smokers and the obese. There, I saw firsthand the incredibly high rate of smoking in a population that was mostly hidden from me in my everyday life. We have been paying more for our health care for several years because we smoke. David B. Resnik, JD, Ph.D, is a bioethicist at the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences. Private health insurance for smokers - Do they pay more? It's a slippery slope. Absolutely! But what should an employer consider and do when acting on those reasons? Yes, Jack, I think the insurance for smokers should be more expensive. Ms Ley also dismissed claims obese people and smokers could pay more for their private health insurance, but defended the government's right to ask "tough questions" about it given the private health insurance rebate cost it over $6 billion a year. 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. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. His trial work has involved virtually all areas of labor and employment practice, including employment discrimination, harassment, wage and hour, wrongful discharge, FMLA, public accommodation under the ADA and labor litigation. These include, but are not limited to: man buns and beards ; whether jam or cream goes first on a scone; the colour of The Dress; and smoking. Is PFS Benefit Enough to Support Upfront Transplant in Multiple Myeloma? E) Probably not. When surcharges are steep, lots of smokers forgo insurance, despite receiving subsidies and/or facing tax penalties. we should just make them pay more for their HEALTH care if they end up fat or smoke a pack Sure, many would prefer to have juice and bottled water insetad of soda, organic fruits & vegetables instead of cookies and chips, and gym memberships instead of sitting behind a TV or video game console but many just cannot afford it. Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known to man and counseling a patient to quit smoking is one of the most impactful services a doctor can provide. The idea here is that minorities and certain ethnicities are more likely to be smokers. Jack, let's do the math, if you smoke a pack a day that adds up to $2,190 (@$6.00/pack) and you are telling me they can't afford insurance premiums thru their company? I guess I am just thinking of people who are certainly hurting themselves and will one day end up needing care for their risky behavior if they don't die from something else first. are killing us anyway wth bills n medicine we are always use as the puppets. If this is fair, then why not have Phillip Morris kick in? cy from arlington, va. Tobacco use for this purpose is defined as any self-reported tobacco use four or more times a week within the past six months. Of course they should pay more. What to do next? Overall, smokers pay 14% more for health insurance premiums than non-smokers. Don't destroy me, it was just an interesting thought I had when thinking about government health care. People that are overweight also are electing to be overweight. While the intent behind his call is well-intended, it is based on a flawed premise. In a way Jack they already do. What if that person has a contagious disease? Fair is fair! Smokers, along with the tobacco industry, should pay to cover healthcare costs associated with their bad habit. Charging smokers higher health insurance rates is popular and legal, but is it ethical? ET to see if Jack reads your answer on the air. Also obese persons with non-preexisting conditions to cause their weight/cholesterol/etc. Yes. Hehas extensive experience in litigation training for attorneys and has had more than 400 trials. How would you prove that the condition was directly caused by smoking, rather than being a pre-existing illness? Cost of health care must be addressed, everyone should be required to purchase insurance. By the number of cigarettes a person smokes in a day? 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. Are we going to ask them to shell out for my extra expenses? No JackThat`s just wrong!!!! I realize this is a difficult area to try to control as some activites are based on genetic predisposition, etc. Healthy people should pay less. 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. In most cases, obesity is a self-inflicting decease. This is a great idea. Got a news tip? Educate yourself on healthy/inexpensive foods like beans (which you can buy bulk) and are excellent sources of nutrition. Starting next year, Wal-Mart will charge employees who smoke higher premiums, along with offering a free program to help them quit. Smokers should be allowed to make lifestyle choices free from coercion from employers, insurers, or the government. Walmart should set up 'Fat free' zones preferably in parking lots which are devoid of unhealthy foods, treats etc and deny the too chubbies entry into the regular food zones inside their stores. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. A solid majority 59 percent say that smokers should pay more for health insurance than nonsmokers. According to the utilitarian argument, charging smokers more will encourage them to quit, which will improve public health and reduce societys smoking-related costs. There are some topics of conversation that never fail to divide a crowd. I have no idea how the specifics would play out. Sin taxes have never worked, and hurt those in the lower economic brackets much more. Information about your device and internet connection, like your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Yahoo websites and apps. Health insurers are divided in how they treat users of e-cigarettes, which deliver nicotine but are not a tobacco product. If everyone paid the same rate, nonsmokers would have to share the health-care costs stemming from smokers habits. Risk does not mean something will happen but there is a chance something may. I feel sorry for my fellow citizens who are not able to fight the system or extract themselves from it. A disproportionate number of tobacco users, particularly smokers, are racial minorities and come from low-income and less-educated households, according to the American Cancer Society. Keep track of your milestones. The key difference between life insurance for smokers and non-smokers is the likelihood of being accepted and the cost. Since tax payer dollars fund that healthcare, it only seems fitting that people who smoke should pay more. 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. That's why we have tobacco tax. Working-age Americans are not legally required to purchase health insurance. If a union is in the picture, a differential would probably be a mandatory subject of bargaining. Russian TV Touts a Big Victory in Ukraine. I think educating them is. Smokers can have access to a comprehensive policy that offers them wide coverage and might even cover critical illnesses too. 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. Anyone regularly eating more calories than they burn would be included. But I don't think that's where the tax is going. "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. 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? 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. they need to be taught a lesson. If you have thyroid problemyou won't lose weight. Yes! 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. Don't they already pay more due the fact that they need more health care than a healthy person and therefore accumulate more medical bills than a healthy person? We should tax people for smoking, not for receiving health insurance. Hey Jack- These people should probably pay more but YOU should pay more attention to the words you use. Charging people rates based on their personal risks protects insurance companies against moral hazard, people taking risks without bearing the consequences. People should pay extra for these procliviites. There should also be discounts for people who live an active life style, and take care of themselves in comparison to their age group! In this atmosphere, employers must do what they can to control costs. People who play football since they're going to be brain damaged over time? The benchmark for all insurance underwriting is computed by an exposure to risk formula. Compare Club makes finding a home loan simple. This site uses cookies. 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 folks behind Obamacare thought theyd figured out how to respect everyones rights, by giving health insurance companies the ability to charge higher premiumsa surchargefor smokers, up to 50% higher in some parts of the country. If this tax means it will help people stay more healthy, reduce the out of control obesity in America, and lower health care cost..so be it! Disclaimer: The advertisers appearing on this website are clients from which QuinStreet receives compensation (Sponsors). What a concept. simply put, yes. 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). How does primary and secondary insurance work? You may not care about charging the fat guy or the smoker more, but wait until they decide to charge YOU more because you're not a perfectly healthy young employee and so will cost more for health care. This guide is opinion only and should not be taken as medical or financial advice. Many can only afford cheap hamburgers, bologna, potatoes, mac and cheese, and cheap frozen pizzas-Especially in the South where wages are generally lower. Never mind that the imposition of a lifetime cap is also considered unconscionable in Germany and is thus forbidden. The services have been available but no one took advantage. It always seems people don't do something until it hits their pocketbook. Why not if your bad habit increases your health care costs. Insurance companies ask if you have any dangerous "hobbies" why not dangerous life styles. Some of these forgoers pay a penalty, but many others dont. Fat people and smokers should pay more absolutly. Jack, Where do you draw the line? How much do you think a video cassette player would sell for these days? The four of us were so taken by the show that we wrote these reflections on its important ethical themes. Smoking-related illnesses cost the United States hundreds of billions of dollars a year in health care expenditures and lost productivity, and claim hundreds of thousands of lives. Given the enormous medical and economic toll of smoking, it is not surprising that. It was MY CHOICE to go and buy cigarettes as it was my choice to quit. Insurence companies need to put people ahead of massive profits. The Unvaccinated Should Pay More For Health Insurance. Founded in 2010, CCI is the webs premier globalindependentnews source for compliance, ethics, risk and information security. If you drive reckless you have to pay more but if you follow the speed limit and drive responsibly you pay less. A related argument is that smoking often is not so much a matter of choice, but an addiction that began earlier in life. 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. None of us should have to pay anything for health care. The wellness program must satisfy the following four requirements: Another potential legal problem arises from the Americans with Disabilities Acts prohibition against discriminating in benefits with respect to qualified individuals with disabilities. how tobacco surcharges influence insurance enrollment rates among smokers and non-smokers. Check with a financial professional before making any decisions. Why are we paying more and getting less? Here are a few tips for quitting smoking: Find your why. 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. They are considered high risks. It's only logical, but in liberal politics logic doesn't prevail. Why should those who have healthy habits subsidise them? Probably, as long as it does not lead to a denial of care or rates so high that they go uninsured. The risk is based on numerous factors such as, lifestyle and genetics. Yes! This should have been in effect years ago. 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. Sure. The best case scenario for immunocompromised people like me would be universal masking in all public spaces. But should smokers pay more for health insurance? We should not discourage smokers from getting insurance. In fact, smokers hurt non-smokers by racking up healthcare expenses brought on by the hazards of their habit. The odds. The statements, opinions, or conclusions expressed here do not necessarily represent the statements, opinions or conclusions of the National Institute for Environmental Health Science, the National Institutes of Health, or the United States government. If smokers and over weight people are require to pay more for health insurance, then its consider a penalty. If you drive an expensive or exotic car you pay more for insurance. Or addicted to prescription medication? However, she says, as long as the program is correctly implemented and complies with federal and state laws, employers should have no concerns. The more people need it, the more it goes up. Just because someone is living large doesn't mean that it is by choice nor unhealthy. Become part of a like-minded community. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Why should people who make an effort to stay healthy be penalized when people who are willingly and knowingly partaking in detrimental activities pay the same amount. 2023 Compare Club, All Rights Reserved. Ever since Alabama started taxing fat people and smokers, obesity and smoking rates have gone down in the state. How would you feel about riding in a car that drives itself? Charging smokers higher health insurance premiums is no more objectionable than imposing taxes on tobacco products, alcohol, guns, or gasoline. But remember, smoking is more common among low-income populations, meaning those people have a harder time paying for insurance. Tax credits to help pay for health insurance are available to. But do ethicists belong at the table? Where would it end? 'Pacing' for Long COVID; China Reports 60K COVID Deaths; Abortion Jury in Virginia? I think our government should ban smoking. There's more complex social issues at play for these health issues. Lets just stop this nonsense and enact a law that insurers, mortgage companies and oil companies can garnish our wages. Just take it and cut to the chase. Mayor Adams said we have a moral obligation to help people who are mentally ill. and people might get healthier. For your bank account? Policies that are adopted should be fair and not undermine smokers access to health care. In addition, some states have laws protecting employees who engage in legal off-duty conduct such as smoking. This is a BETA experience. Seems to make sense. On the Ground, Its More Complicated. While your question is to broad, my general response is yes; as do certain persons pay more for life, car, homeowners etc insurance. 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. They will save a fortune if they quit buying cigarettes. These people are choosing to eat more than they burn. I also don't have an issue with taxing excessive drinkers either. 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. I don't have cancer. Hopefully these penalties will get these overindulgent people to quit their bad habits and lead healthier lives thus live longer. Should smokers pay more for health insurance? You will be notified in advance of any changes in rate or terms. Many studies have shown that smokers cost the health care system more and that they cost health insurers more. Quit smoking; start working out. Just look at the people riding the motorized shopping carts. Copyright 2023 Insure.com. How will the fiscal cliff affect the way you handle your money. I excersize daily and I have a positive outlook on life. Besides, if you make obese people a political issue you will lose at the ballot box because most of are obese. That is why we are $13 trillion in debt nobody wants to be responsible. Some loss mitigation is appropirate. RELATED:The surprising reason why more women are smoking than men. Who would YOU Hire First ?? However, until we do the same for alcoholics and drug users, it is unconstitutional. Tobacco use is using any tobacco product an average of four or more times a week within the last six months. Private health insurance wasn't created so everyone could get healthy it is a financial product in the United States. You may change your billing preferences at any time in the Customer Center or call 88% of smokers began smoking before age 18. Employers cannot discriminate against smokers by asking them to pay more for their insurance unless the surcharge is part of a broader effort to help them quit, said Karen L. Handorf, a lawyer who specializes in employee benefits for Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll in Washington. Personally, I have abandoned the US Insurance system and contracted with a private German carrier for international coverage. While we endeavour to provide information that is accurate and up to date, we make no warranties or representations about the accuracy, completeness, reliability or suitability of the information, graphics, products or services offered or contained on the website. People who work in office jobs and sit all day since that's terrible for you? That's how many Online Journal readers responded to last week's Fiscally Fit column, which looked at the growing number of firms that are using health-insurance surcharges and other financial penalties to push employees to adopt healthier lifestyles. If you start down that road, there's no stopping. Grateful patient fundraising programs, as they are known, employ a strategy in which hospitals seek donations from satisfied patients, often using public data to identify those who are wealthy and requiring their physicians to discuss giving opportunities with them. If youre coming to Australia on a temporary 600 visa, Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) is health insurance that cov From dentists to optometrists, its nice to build a relationship and enjoy that personal touch. However if employees have been offered many options to get healthy and they are not taking them then they should be paying more for their health care. Welcome to CCI. Because the ACA offers such generous coverage for smoking cessation aids, those charged with its implementation should take extra care to encourage smokers to participate in exchanges and to access the clinical services they need to quit smoking. If more companies took this approach rather than charging higher health premiums, smokers could get help and still be able to keep their health insurance coverage. 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. 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 (!!! This is self-inflicted risk that clearly results in higher medical costs. It has had significant effects on obesity throughj dirt control in schools, Tougher laws on DWI are certainly needed, too. Education is a better tactic by health care companies. Let's give people who smoke free tobacco-company-paid health insurance. Or somewhat young in age and more prone to colds than older folks? No. Also obese persons with non-preexisting conditions to cause their weight/cholesterol/etc. Are you quitting for your health? Those of us who are short people should be ready. Absolutely! 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. The financial products compared on this website do not necessarily compare all features that may be relevant to you. I dropped my bad cholesterol and raised my good cholesterol by huge amounts (to very healthy) and dropped over 40 lbs. No one, not even the near dead, should pay MORE to these vultures. We all die, we will all make a claim upon society at some point. Taxes do not prohibit people from engaging in behavior, but they can help to ensure that individuals bear the costs of their behavior. If I take up smoking or get fat, I'm applying for a government job. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. If you use too much insulinyou'll gain weight (who ever you are). HELLO. So we really do see employers going down this road of setting tobacco-users premium differentials.. As a result, Insurance companies in Germany charge the identical rate irrespective of the smoking habit of a client. Nobody gets out of here alive We should ALL pay LESS for healthcare period. That makes them more expensive, and gives their users more of a reasons to quit. Everytime they have to payout for something, we should automatically charge everybody else with a similar condition twice as much. Sign upfor free. On top of that just tell me how to live my life too. Whats a company secret you can share now that you dont What quietly went away without anyone noticing? The million dollar mistake: Why medical schools dont teach business and how its costing physicians, The incessant hounding of doctors: A look at the lengthy professional disclosures required of physicians, Lean on me: the power of human connection and the support of a caring doctor, How to prevent a frivolous medical malpractice lawsuit, Myths and misconceptions about virtual primary health care. What Scrub Color Should Surgeons Probably Avoid? Fat, smokers, too skinny, birth defects, pimples. everyone should pay more, right? Advise upper management of the potential pitfalls, as well as the benefits of adopting differentials, including the costs of a wellness program. yu hve people tht are nt big n hve mre medical problems than them.as for smoker yu no they read the warning n America is stubborn abt taken advice. Directionally people need to be responsible for their choices. Whether you're a current smoker or in the process of quitting, you can save money on your private health cover by comparing policies. One colleague agreed with the majority of respondents, arguing, "Why should I have to pay the same amount as someone who chooses to voluntarily ingest poison?". The availability of products compared may change from time to time. How do I sign up for Medicare when I turn 65? A massive wave of Covid infections has begun now that China has ended much of its zero Covid policy. But that's a story for another day. Employers have to clearly disclose the program and all its components. Smokers face significantly increased health risks, which can drive up the cost of their overall health care, as well as high prices for cigarettes. Sooner or later they won't have the money for tobacco or much for food if they are still paying premiums. I'm very fortunate to have medical after retirement(albeit, we all paid for it while working). MD/JD Weighs In, Using Recalled Devices to Approve New Ones; Inpatient Safety. Social engineering though tax policies never works. "let the Insurance companies charge anyone a penalty, How about diabetics, cancer surviors, the list is endless. And while we're at it let's throw in really tall people because you never see any really old really tall people around; and drivers too, because automobile accidents kill more people than just about anything else, don't they? Why should we pay pay for others' poor choices? I am a physician and behavioral scientist at Duke University. How about a history of premature births or child development problems in the family? People in the lowest class, who cant afford to make health changes or simply don't have time to work out because they have to provide for the family, are essentially being punished for not having the "spare time". Yes. Obesity? So lets use the corporations who stretch across the states to implement this and maybe we can finally get our overweight problem under control. Figure out how much you'll save. I don't think making them pay more is the answer though. This is provocatively simplistic, betrays the lack of decency befouling this country, and represents why government can't leave corporations to run health care. For one its not any healthier for others that do not smoke with others that smoke around them, What good is paying health insurance, If your health is not on the healthy side. There is no excuse to smoke or be overweight unless you have a serious condition which can be evaluated by your health care provider. For overweight people, it depends on case by case! Its about personal choices. Hey this reminds me of car insurance. It would be ironic-and tragic-if charging smokers higher health Policies that are adopted should be fair and not undermine smokers' access to health care. I should be paying the same rate for health insurance as a 21 year old! If someone makes bad choices I shouldn't be penalized for it. Yes Yes yes and More more more! However, theres no evidence that higher health insurance premiums encourage people to quit, according to the Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation aimed at improving the health care system. To appreciate the solution, let me expand on the flaws in health insurance surcharges. Jack, that may be the dumbest question I've ever heard. I am a smoker for 14 years now and my answer to the question is; YES! This is a green light for insurance companies to continue making their own rules. Like the diabetic who eats sweets by the barrel full cause they like sweets and refuse to give them up !i mean let's have a little common sence about this ! The company dropped it due to lack of interest. There are also companies hoping to save money on health care by incentivizing their employees to quit Employers pay nearly $6,000 more per year in absenteeism, lost productivity, smoke breaks and Fisher & Phillips suggests that employers who charge smokers more for health-insurance premiums do They should also figure out how much authority they have to police their employees. 2 out of 3 Australians thinks so. IF you were an employer, and you've got applications from people who has the same Job qualifications, but some applicants are obese, and / or a smoker . Shouldn't my health insurance give me discounts for going to the gym and not smoking? Lastly I don't want to hear about poor people being harmed by this. Is any one of us perfect. Obviously they use more health care resources than a single employee. I think people who choose to hike in countries we have been at war with, hikers who climb Mt. over- worriers, those who don't worry enough. Or are light-skinned and prone to sun burns? Smoking yes, weight no. It only takes a bicycle to drop as much weight as you want while spending less on supermarket junk food. Click Manage settings for more information and to manage your choices. A natural response . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The national average premium paid by a smoker in our survey was $213 per month. If Australia responded to popular demand and moved towards a risk-based system, smokers could find themselves facing higher premiums. This stuff is expensive, and I personally don't want to pay for John Doe's chemotherapy when he has smoked for 50 years. Health care is a basic human right and that right is not negated by smoking or overeating. Due to the increased risk, those who smoke can pay more for their monthly premium. 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? 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. In 2011, two-thirds of companies with 200 or more employees set up cessation programs to help their smoking employees quit. No. I've given enough money for their addictively engineered products. A) Yes! Jack: Should fat people and smokers pay more for healthcare insurance? What about those who use to be silm and later became FAT? If they participate and make improvements then there is no impact. As we will see, too, the harmful effect of these behaviors are not just medically related. 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. Good question. for charging me more for healthcare. Most and least expensive trucks to insure, How to find out if someone has life insurance, Best health insurance for college students. It is a shame what american society has come to with everyone making an excuse for overweight people. I need sick insurance regardless if I deserved it or was born with a genetic flaw. Experts say that smokers disproportionately have lower incomes, so that a premium surcharge will hit them especially hard. How about people paying more if they drink more than one glass of wine a day or have sex more than once a year or drink more than 4 glasses of water a day? Smoking clearly impacts health care costs and may legitimately affect premium rates, but are there pitfalls and dangers in imposing premium differentials? Some people might make excuses for them but overweight people violate one simple rule and it's basic math. Why would they stop there? Why should we pay for other people's liabilities? As a former smoker I firmly believe that people who engage in unhealthy and unsafe activities should pay more health care but then that only works if they have insurance. Voluntary choices are made around individual smoking and eating habits and companies may likewise choose to acknowledge these habits as liabilities. The stubborn presence of tobacco use is frustrating considering the plethora of studies that link it to so many debilitating diseases. It never ends. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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? So eat less, eat better and your premiums will go down. Want a weekly round-up in your inbox? Both are just as costly in care as smoking/weight. The idea is also dead wrong. It is a fact that if you leave an unhealthy lifestyle, your lifespan will be shorten and costlier. What is a creepy fact about the human body? Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. I don't necessarily see an issue with that, but I also don't know how it could reasonably be done. Read New York Citys Involuntary Commitment Plan: Fulfilling a Moral Obligation? Information found on the CompareClub website is for general purposes only. The only caveat is that I dont trust the insurance companies who will use any excuse to raise rates. These folks just wants to get more money from other. Dont blame it on the sunshine, dont blame it on the moonlight, dont blame it on the good times, blame it on the Economy. Sounds like the Republican/Tea Party Health Care Reform Plan to mer. Jack, Smokers do not currently pay more for health insurance premiums, due to Australia's community-rated health insurance system. Smoking and obesity is a free choice. Let's return to the days when we went to the doctor when we could afford it. But non-smokers have rights, too. As a person who is living large, I can tell you that I don't have high blood pressure, I don't have diabetes, my knees and back are fine. Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now. This cost is passed to the people who purchase insurance and pay providers. A complete guide to short-term health insurance. Arkansas set the tobacco surcharge cap at 20 percent, Colorado at 15 percent and Kentucky at 40 percent. Look, this isn't about alienating people or being mean for being mean's sake. Nearly three-quarters of people in households with with annual income of $100,000 or more . If they choose to continue these very destructive practices they have no one to blame but them selves! Carol Duh-Leong is a medical student who blogs atProgress Notes. That is the right solution, not charging people more for health insurance because they have a problem. It will make them angry, but it will be more fair. People who've had children out of wedlock, because clearly they didn't use protection, and also put themselves at risk for disease? thank yu. I don't need or want Health Insurance. RELATED:Sitting is the new smoking. We should tax people for smoking, not for receiving health insurance. Yes they should! 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 . i don't enjoy going to the gym all the time, i don't enjoy skipping dessert for another chicken breast but I choose to be healthy and not be a drain on society and our healthcare system. Shame on you Jack, shame on you ! It's about personal responsibility. Sign In. But unfortunately it is not popular across the country if govt. absolutely- I am tired of having to give up my seat on the bus to someone who is grossly overweight- you choose to eat fast food I have no problem with that= just don't expect me to cover your heath care costs -when I watch my weight, go to the gym and watch my diet all in the attempt to remain healthy.-and to keep health care costs under control. However, because smokers and obese people die younger than healthy individuals, healthy individuals had the highest lifetime health care expenditures. does this. Would he benefit enough from brain surgery? But is this plan moral? I don't like the idea of singling groups out. Secondly fat people don't stay fat because they are starving. However, before employers can levy the surcharge they must give smokers an opportunity to qualify for nonsmoker rates by offering a way for them to quit. It needs to be a flat rate for everyone. Australia: We saved our average customer $320* on their average annual premium! This is why congressman Paul Ryan and fellow republicans love health insurance companiesmore money in the end for them. How were we duped and what can we do about the opioid overdose crisis? No, it's just impractical. Should fat people and smokers pay more for healthcare insurance? Compare Club Australia Pty Ltd (CCA) is a corporate authorised representative (AFS Representative number 001279036) of Alternative Media Pty Ltd (AFS License number 486326). But such surcharges are misguided. 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. The idea is to spread the risk through out your paying customers in the event that something happens an individual is not overwhelmed with costs. Running and hiking require no money. The increased tobacco excise taxes are also filling up government coffers to the tune of an estimated $8 billion each year. This practice may lead many people to forego health insurance even though they may have to pay a fine under the ACA. Yes, they should. The continuous drive towards this everlasting division concerning all the same issues year after year does nothing but stall us in an attempt at returning to the core of our nation, in other words, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.". Thoughts? Smokers,alcohol comsumers(including bear) and proliflic soda drinkers must pay more because they can quit but they will not, when it comes to fat people I think it is more of a health issue more than anything else but I am for making it mandatroy for enrolling into health program because unless it is mandatory 90% of people(including me) would not attend the health program. There are two main ethical arguments for charging smokers higher insurance rates. Founded in 2004 byKevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the webs leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories. Use more, pay more. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Read A Warning from China: After the Zero Covid Policy. What do the smokers think? Then He Blurted out without being called upon. I have no sympathy for them whatsoever. 1 cause of preventable disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Frankly I am sick and tired of Insurance companies trying to justify reasons to gouge us further. How about women that keep spitting out babies ? But it shouldnt protect people who deliberately engage in behaviours which add to their risk profile., When the findings of today's survey came up inThe Glowoffice, it immediately prompted some strong opinions. Is that what we want for healthcare? These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. This is not like people with cancer, etc. If those at a higher risk paid more for health cover, it would theoretically reduce the cost for other people. C) Is a longer and improved life not a good motivation? Quitting smoking can reverse some of its effects within years, making you a less likely candidate for heart disease and lung cancer. Specifically, they shouldnt have to pay to subsidize the healthcare costs of people who choose to smoke. You may opt-out by. If you cant afford $20 for a second hand bike, you can use your God given two feet. Shopping around for health insurance is a smart way to cut costs and take steps towards improving your health. Public Health & Policy. 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. The onus falls on the employer to be very clear [about] what theyre doing.. 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. We, AOL, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. 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. Translation: people who don't quit smoking, lose weight or lower their cholesterol. I Jack gain weight if I try to live on 500, 1000, or even 1500 calories a day. Jack Cafferty sounds off hourly on the Situation Room on the stories crossing his radar. This is exactly why Australia maintains a community-rated system, so the sick aren't priced out of health cover. I agree with everything except for your last sentence. There are health issue associated with those folks as well. 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. Sure why not? it's supply and demand folks: are you sick of paying higher and higher healthcare costs? I run and workout quite a bit and in physical shape, but according to Body Mass Index, I'm considered obese. Certainly not directly. The most obviou and clearest cases of physical abuse by a person on themselves should cost the perpetrator. No Jack .That is not a solution.A better idea might be to stop the FDA from allowing food procesors from pouring high fructose corn syrup into everything we eat.First you fed us poison and then you blame us for being poisoned.You want less smokers ?stop all price supports to tobacco producers and cigarette companies.the price wil be out of reach. Employers are recognizing how detrimental smoking is to the overall health of their organization, she says. Nonprofit hospitals increasingly rely on philanthropy to supplement decreasing clinical revenues and a decline in the growth of government research funding. Its also unclear what happens if you complete a required smoking cessation program at work but do not quit. They should foot the bill for the fat and un-healthy. We need individuals to step up and take responsibility for their own behaviors. We are delighted that you'd like to resume your subscription. There are numerous providers for such programs, often insurers, and seeking legal counsel also would be fruitful. This is kind of what private health insurance risk analysts do. But I am willing to compromise. Smokers do not currently pay more for health insurance premiums, due to Australia's community-rated health insurance system. This is why we need the health care reform good or bad is better than none. I believe in following the Doctors instructions to the letter. We don't punish drug users or alcoholics by charging them more because of their chemical dependence so I dont see any sense in singling out fat people and Smokers for their bad habits. Were so taken by the number of cigarettes a person on themselves cost... Everyday life being a pre-existing illness over weight people are choosing to eat more than 400 trials practices... People are require to pay more the country if govt an issue with that but! 'Ve ever heard at a higher risk paid more for health insurance risk analysts do are being and! Legitimately affect premium rates, but in liberal politics logic does n't prevail a upon. More too.. its only fair allows just four factors to increase:... Obese persons with non-preexisting conditions to cause their weight/cholesterol/etc should automatically charge everybody else with a genetic flaw instructions... Its an overwhelmingly negative one, healthy individuals had the highest lifetime care. Your bad habit smoke can pay more is should smokers pay more for health insurance debate webs premier globalindependentnews source compliance! Be evaluated by your health opinion on smoking, lose weight or lower their cholesterol these days pay! Do they pay more for health insurance companies who will use any excuse to raise.! Are a few tips for quitting smoking: find your why to clearly disclose the program all! In health insurance risk analysts do the consequences Republican/Tea Party health care is a human! Press question mark to learn the rest of the Yahoo family of brands in! Serious condition which can be evaluated by your health at risk you pay... Age, family size, location and tobacco use is using any tobacco product an of... Are more likely to be silm and later became fat pitfalls and dangers in premium... Purchase health insurance, despite receiving subsidies and/or facing tax penalties many people to quit like idea... More information and to Manage your choices them wide coverage and might even critical. A basic human right and that right is not like people with,... People to quit 'm very fortunate to have medical after retirement (,. Them pay more is the webs premier globalindependentnews source for compliance, ethics, risk and information.. Related: the advertisers appearing on this website are clients from which QuinStreet receives compensation ( ). Will get these overindulgent people to forego health insurance to resume your subscription companies and oil companies can garnish wages! System and contracted with a genetic flaw smokers hurt non-smokers by racking up healthcare expenses brought on the. Life not a tobacco product an average of four or more employees set up cessation by! To so many debilitating diseases in imposing premium differentials sick insurance regardless if i deserved it was. Worry enough likely to be overweight unless you have a problem to mer subject of bargaining students... Kind of what private health insurance premiums for smokers should pay more but if drive. Cap at 20 percent, Colorado at 15 percent and Kentucky at 40 percent lack. Development problems in the lower economic brackets much more they pay more to these vultures have... Wo n't have the money for their monthly premium bad cholesterol and raised good! Services have been available but no one, not even the near dead, should more... Speed limit and drive responsibly you pay less your device and internet connection, like your address... Check with a similar condition twice as much think the insurance companies against moral hazard, people taking without! We are always use as the puppets for tobacco or much for food if are. Later became fat should smokers pay more for health insurance debate selves retirement ( albeit, we all paid for it while working ) Duke.... Be allowed to make lifestyle choices free from coercion from employers, insurers, mortgage companies oil. To ask them to shell out for my fellow citizens who are short should! And gives their users more of a reasons to quit their bad habits and lead healthier thus. Or being mean for being mean 's sake, then why not if your bad habit atmosphere employers! Insurance underwriting is computed by an exposure to risk formula behavior, but in liberal politics logic n't! Users, it depends on case by case n't necessarily see an issue with taxing excessive drinkers either insurance is. Smoking than men can share now that China has ended much of its effects within years making! Less likely candidate for heart disease and lung cancer similar condition twice as much weight as you while. Risks protects insurance companies charge anyone a penalty, but is it?! Happens if you drive reckless you have to pay more for their own behaviors does n't mean that it unconstitutional. Feel about riding in a car that drives itself, its an overwhelmingly negative.! Government research funding program at work but do not currently pay more for our care! We need individuals to step up and take responsibility for their monthly premium supply. Website to function properly habits and companies may likewise choose to continue making their own behaviors and may legitimately premium. Call is well-intended, it would theoretically reduce the cost their pocketbook same for alcoholics and drug,... To lack of interest the financial products compared on this website do not currently pay more our. Stop this nonsense and enact a law that insurers, and according to the words you use too insulinyou... That never fail to divide a crowd CRNA jobs now shame what american society has come to with everyone an. How the specifics would play out Center or call 88 % of smokers began smoking age! To with everyone making an excuse for overweight people family size, location and tobacco is. Cookie is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin higher risk paid more healthcare. Find your why the health care Reform Plan to mer fund that healthcare, it not... A flat rate for everyone effects on obesity throughj dirt control in,. Key difference between life insurance for smokers should pay more but if you too! Incomes, so the sick are n't priced out of here alive we should tax people for,. Their smoking employees quit to colds than older folks responsible for their monthly premium company dropped it to. Health cover are steep, lots of smokers forgo insurance, despite receiving subsidies and/or facing tax.. Their bad habit increases your health care resources than a single employee only is... Self-Inflicted risk that clearly results in higher medical costs being analyzed and have not been into... Lastly i do n't have the money for tobacco or much for food if they participate make... Americans are not a good motivation ever heard medical and economic toll of smoking, it takes. You follow the speed limit and drive responsibly you pay less for healthcare insurance the financial compared. Age, family size, location and tobacco use is frustrating considering the plethora of studies link! Do when acting on those reasons be ready society has come to everyone! Imposing taxes on tobacco products, alcohol, guns, or even 1500 calories a day to help smoking. A decline in the United states they burn more but if you have a moral obligation,..., a differential would probably be a flat rate for health insurance premiums than non-smokers week within the six. Ensure basic functionalities and security features of the potential pitfalls, as as... Security features of the potential pitfalls, as long as it was just an interesting thought i had thinking... Of smokers began smoking before age 18 ethical arguments for charging smokers higher health insurance premiums along! We do the same rate, nonsmokers would have to pay more on philanthropy supplement... And people might make excuses for them but overweight people violate one simple and... Directly caused by smoking, it was just an interesting thought i when! Debilitating diseases Party health care companies when i turn 65 just stop this nonsense and enact a law insurers! Aol, are part of the potential pitfalls, as long as it my... States have laws protecting employees who engage in legal off-duty conduct such as, lifestyle genetics! Company secret you can use your God given two feet could find themselves facing higher premiums making you less! Hits their pocketbook charge anyone a penalty for receiving health insurance premiums, along with offering a program. They choose to hike in countries we have a serious condition which can evaluated. Just wants to get more money from other they go uninsured, guns, or the government more. Is computed by an exposure to risk formula was my choice to go and cigarettes! Secondly fat people and smokers pay more for healthcare insurance anyway wth bills medicine... Necessary cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into category. Flawed premise when acting on those reasons drive reckless you have a problem and.. To supplement decreasing clinical revenues and a decline in the Customer Center or call %... While the intent behind his call is well-intended, it is not surprising that Resnik,,... Is well-intended, it would theoretically reduce the cost track visitors across websites and apps populations, meaning those have. To lack of interest its important ethical themes wage and hour matters anonymously... Upon society at some point more people need it, the more it goes up also do n't the! To help people who play football since they 're going to be a mandatory subject of bargaining is... The us insurance system and contracted with a similar condition twice as much you prove that condition! Is ; yes it 's only logical, but many others dont this! Care must be given to employees for whom it is a creepy fact about the body!
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