(post continues after gallery.). This is not about poor genes. If we begin to separate people because of diseases, it might begin to punish people with costly diseases which they could not have prevented like Type one diabetes, Parkinson's, most cancers etc. Then why shouldn't healthcare be based on fitness level? The GOP would never accept a such an un-American thing as a tax increase on these people. Sure. While smokers pay much higher premiums for life cover, they generally do not pay more for health cover. 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. How much do you think a video cassette player would sell for these days? That goes against everything the Grand Old Party stands for. Around 60,000 Australian households were quizzed about health insuranceby One Big Switch. Healthy, beautiful people have all the advantages in life. They already spend more money, on cigs and food, than I do. Some employers are hesitant to impose a tobacco users surcharge for fear they could be sued, Weston says. Quit smoking; start working out. The bottom line is when you combine these problems with the fact that we work too much as a society, and leave little time for physical activity and recreation , we have a big problem. We do the same for car insurance and why not for health insurance. Social engineering though tax policies never works. After a string of violent crimes involving mentally ill people who are homeless, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a plan for police and emergency medical workers to involuntarily remove people with severe mental illness from the streets and bring them to hospitals for psychiatric evaluation. Last month, I rotated in the Bronx at a federally qualified health center. Life insurance rates for smokers versus non-smokers. Some of these forgoers pay a penalty, but many others dont. The national average premium paid by a smoker in our survey was $213 per month. The best case scenario for immunocompromised people like me would be universal masking in all public spaces. As for smokers, that is much more clear-cut and it would make sense to raise rates for those. It has had significant effects on obesity throughj dirt control in schools, Tougher laws on DWI are certainly needed, too. For overweight people, it depends on case by case! Good thing it doesn't control health care costs for its customers, or it would lose most of its business. 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. Why not make health insurance premiums lower for those that take steps to improve their health? Most insurance plans cover smoking-cessation programs. 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. 6."Health Insurance Surcharges for Tobacco Users: State and Federal Rules." Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1- 844-704-7357), 24 hours a day/7 days. Establishing a compliant wellness program with a smoking cessation program and alternative mechanisms for some smokers, are key components of any decision to impose a differential. A) Yes! These people should be paying more money for health insurance. Smoking clearly impacts health care costs and may legitimately affect premium rates, but are there pitfalls and dangers in imposing premium differentials? Not surprisingly, implementing a differential does involve some risk. No, it's just impractical. Frankly I am sick and tired of Insurance companies trying to justify reasons to gouge us further. 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. Jack: Discrimination is against the law. Is that what we want for healthcare? 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. Jack ~ Sorry to answer your question with another question, but it is relevant. Some large corporations are telling their employees if they smoke they will have to pay more for their health insurance. Poor people can afford this expensive health hazard luxury? If we are going to hold people financially responsible for their unhealthy choices, lets not pretend that obesity is somehow holier than emphysema. 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? Compare Club makes it simple to choose a better energy plan. How much is that costing us ? Smokers can have access to a comprehensive policy that offers them wide coverage and might even cover critical illnesses too. Well, if you really think smokers should pay more for health insurance, we should also charge more for the obese, particularly those with belly fat, and for those who get little or no exercise. 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. Then He Blurted out without being called upon. Many people do not belong to gyms and still find other ways to exercise. But what should an employer consider and do when acting on those reasons? 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.. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Namely, a few states explicitly prohibit discrimination against smokers. If you are in a dangerous occupation either you or your employer gets a larger bill. 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". Insurance companies ask if you have any dangerous "hobbies" why not dangerous life styles. A natural response . Van Baal and colleagues compared the lifetime health care costs of three groups: smokers, obese individuals, and healthy individuals. It is a shame what american society has come to with everyone making an excuse for overweight people. Increasingly, companies are answering yes, and asking smokers to pay higher health insurance premiums than their non-smoking colleaguesor even not hiring them altogether. Smokers face significantly increased health risks, which can drive up the cost of their overall health care, as well as high prices for cigarettes. Both are just as costly in care as smoking/weight. If there ever was an industry that demanded nationalization it is the health care industry. 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? Smokers miss an average of 6.16 days of work per year compared to 3.86 days missed by non-smokers, and a smoker taking four 10-minute smoke breaks per day works one month less per year than a non-smoker. On the Ground, Its More Complicated. One rather obvious lifestyle choice having a direct and often staggering effect on employee health is smoking and the use of other tobacco products. Since tax payer dollars fund that healthcare, it only seems fitting that people who smoke should pay more. One recent survey shows the use of penalties is expected to climb next year to include almost 40% of large and medium-sized companies. Running and hiking require no money. charge higher insurance premiums to employees who smoke, and some companies refuse to hire smokers. The arguments against charging smokers higher insurance rates appeal to considerations of social justice and fairness. 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. 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. If quitting smoking was easy, everyone would do it, right? Drone Boats: Inside the U.S. Navys Latest Unmanned AI Tech, Watch: California Floods Leave Behind Washed Away Houses, Submerged Cars, Why the FTC Says Noncompete Clauses Are Hurting the Economy, Climate Activist Greta Thunberg Detained in Germany During Coal Mine Protest. Jack, Where do you draw the line? These effects arent limited to the person sucking on the cigarette, either exposure to second hand smokeis also problematic. 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. One other aspect of having smokers on the workforce is cost. A tobacco surcharge cannot be offset by the subsidies available through the government-run marketplaces. Forget about being able to afford to go to a gym. By choosing to smoke, Im increasing my chances of needing more medical care than those who dont smoke. That one's a bit harder because while being overweight, such as gross obesity, is a health issue, being overweight is relative and doesn't have as close a correlative relationship to health as smoking does. upheld hand. After all, I get my car insurance rates lowered if I go without an accident or claim, and my home insurance is cut by having a security system. And harmful behaviors and habits that contribute directly to increased medical bills are a natural, and tempting, target. over- worriers, those who don't worry enough. Anyone can get sick or get cancer, have a horrid wreck and we all should have the same rates. Or a family history of colon cancer? Health insurers in Germany have conducted studies which have shown that smokers die younger than non-smokers. 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. I think our government should ban smoking. Life insurance premiums are based on your health risk for insurance providers. There are health issue associated with those folks as well. But in that set of a high premium group lets include heavy drinkers, druggies, risky life style adrenaline junkies and anyone who even has a habit of driving fast on public streets. Fair is fair! Many studies have shown that smokers cost the health care system more and that they cost health insurers more. With nearly 16 percent of Americans now uninsured, the rate has been rising for years as prices for prescription drugs and hospital care have escalated. I don't think so. You will be notified in advance of any changes in rate or terms. 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. thank yu. August 24, 2021. All this can be prevented, there is no excuse whatsoever for smoking and for remaining overweight and not actively trying to change. 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 ? Charging a higher premium for established smokers will either at best encourage people to stop smoking immediately in order to access health insurance or at worst deter smokers from signing up for health insurance in the first place. How will the fiscal cliff affect the way you handle your money. There is no excuse to smoke or be overweight unless you have a serious condition which can be evaluated by your health care provider. So it's additional incentive to stop smoking. The prospect of paying higher health insurance rates would provide a powerful financial motivation to stop smoking. Besides they can take the money they save by adopting healthy habits and have more spending money. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The increased tobacco excise taxes are also filling up government coffers to the tune of an estimated $8 billion each year. It never ends. This is provocatively simplistic, betrays the lack of decency befouling this country, and represents why government can't leave corporations to run health care. Links found on the CompareClub website do not necessarily imply an endorsement or recommendation of the information or views that are expressed by the external party. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. "Fat" people. Hey don't we export cigarettes and fast food franchises Shhhh! Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Not everyone is meant to be a size two. Instead of punishing people, why not reward them? I am already paying a $25 per week surcharge to my insurance carrier due to smoking. Why have we let our diseased health care system go untreated? 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. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Is any one of us perfect. We Can Do More to Help Our Patients' Caregivers, Physicians vs Patients: Providing Abortion Care Post-Roe. The only caveat is that I dont trust the insurance companies who will use any excuse to raise rates. Responsible people who exercise and try to enhance their health should have greatly discounted rates. If people can't be motivated to change their bad habits on their own, maybe higher health care costs will make them think twice about their choices. 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. Should you die, the insurance company pays the death benefit to your chosen beneficiary. How long has it been since you had your last cigarette? But, that's a crummy example to set for the vast majority of us who don't. They have NO incentive to find cures for cancer and other illnesses because they would lose a fortune if they did. Policies that are adopted should be fair and not undermine smokers access to health care. That doesn't make any sense. Now that's the question you need to be asking. I'm one who believes those who are unhealthy should pay more. Therefore, they cost LESS than non-smokers who live longer and who will suffer other costly age-related diseases. LOL America. Iranian womens rights movement faces brutal retaliation from government, Doctors trained abroad will save rural health care. Jack, the answer is simple. 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. After all, like the commercial states, who doesn't want 50% more cash! If youre in the market for health insurance, Insure.com annually ranks the best health insurance companies according to surveyed policyholders. It is a shame that money has to be a motivator to incent someone to become healthy! As far as access to healthy food, even Walmart has an organic section now and if you really take the time and put in the effort, healthy eating can be just an inexpensive as unhealthy eating. That might apply to most of us the way the economy is going for the middle class. If smoking will not be banned, then double its price. 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. Smokers do not currently pay more for health insurance premiums, due to Australia's community-rated health insurance system. So pay up! 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. (As usual, check state and local laws to be sure.) Calories in minus calories burned should equal zero. And while you're at it tax them MORE too..its only fair. As a smoker you could face paying up to $500 a month for the company health plan. Never mind that the imposition of a lifetime cap is also considered unconscionable in Germany and is thus forbidden. Another incentive. Smokers do not currently pay more for health insurance premiums, due to Australia's community-rated health insurance system. Guess who has to indirectly pick up that tab. Health care costs more for them (even though both overeating and tobacco are addictoions when they started they knew the dangers). These unhealthy choices in life ( yes, being fat is a choicenot a disease) deserve consequences. There are two main ethical arguments for charging smokers higher insurance rates. "If tobacco users are charged more for health insurance, they should be provided with access to resources to quit," said lead author Michael Pesko, a health economist at Georgia State. I don't like the idea of singling groups out. 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. You bet, Jack. Smoking causes alot of problems not only for the smoker, but for the people around. Why should all of us pay for excess by others? At some point it would become like auto insurance where your rates go up every time you make a claim. Or are light-skinned and prone to sun burns? Why should we pay for other people's liabilities? In light of the Petraeus scandal, is anything we do online really private? Yes! It needs to be a flat rate for everyone. If we are to receive adequate healthcare in this very backward country, we must rein the medical industry in tightly. If Australia responded to popular demand and moved towards a risk-based system, smokers could find themselves facing higher premiums. The table below shows the price comparison of a smoker vs a non-smoker in good health. For your bank account? Sure they should, as long as drinkers and potheads follow suit. Every day, I wish more and more that Canada wasn't so damn cold. In 2011, two-thirds of companies with 200 or more employees set up cessation programs to help their smoking employees quit. The same goes for obesity. People have known for years that smoking causes a variety of health problems and, especially if these companies are offering programs to assist in quitting, there is no reason nowadays to still be partaking. On top of that just tell me how to live my life too. Australia: We saved our average customer $320* on their average annual premium! Somehow, most of us managed to live through it. If I cause a greater loss experience for my auto insurance company because of my poor driving habits and/or poor choice of vehicle, my insurance company charges me more. SMoking, excessive drinking, over eating should be the responsiblity of the person who practices these activiites. Jack, If you do this let's include ALL the circumstances that can shorten life or cause one to need health care. Whether or not this is fair is hard to say for sure, but if you're thinking of quitting smoking now could be the time. There is always a reason but there is never an excuse for bad health. If they can afford to buy more food and/or boxes of cigarettes then they can afford more money for healthcare. Healthy Reader tired of making excuses for my fellow Lazy Americans. Now, you can check in with Jack online to see what he's thinking and weigh in with your own comments online and on TV. So if your reckless with your health then you should pay more, When will man move to his next level of consciousness and realize we're all in this together ? 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. "let the Insurance companies charge anyone a penalty, Employers should continue assessing the impact of a differential on employee morale, productivity and workplace culture. A massive wave of Covid infections has begun now that China has ended much of its zero Covid policy. 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? The benchmark for all insurance underwriting is computed by an exposure to risk formula. 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. Wall-Mart charges smokers more than any other company, requiring them to pay $2,000 extra per year. Instead of penalizing smokers and obese individuals, reward the the healthy with cash. The penalty for smoking will depend on where you live or work. It is legal for smokers to be charged more for employer-sponsored health insurance in most instances. States, however, can set their own rules to reduce or eliminate that surcharge, and 10 so far have chosen to do so. Anyone that drinks excessively. Second, the subsidies dont increase to make up for the cost of the surcharge. There are some topics of conversation that never fail to divide a crowd. Then we get into a whole debate over which stupid behavior deserves discounted healthcare and which doesn't. That means they have to go to the local charity hospital for treatment for care. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Now with that said, if such a system is forced down my throat should Smokers Pay more taxes for healthcare? Here's my question to you: Should smokers and fat people pay more for health care? Yes! For example, a 40-year-old nonsmoking female and a 40-year-old smoking female would pay the same premium for the same policy. How about people with traffic tickets or accidents? No need to play big brother by charging people more for health insurance. 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. These folks made the decision to smoke, so they should pay more. Again explain to me why this is a bad thing. This practice may lead many people to forego health insurance even though they may have to pay a fine under the ACA. Still, HIPAA allows some leeway for a differential if employers establish a non-smoking program as part of a wellness program providing a reward for participation in the form of a reduced premium for not smoking. This should have been in effect years ago. Anyone regularly eating more calories than they burn would be included. smokers and overweight individuals (among many others) require more healthcare services and resources than healthy individuals. There are too many things that can cause one's life to be shortened. Secondly fat people don't stay fat because they are starving. No subscription fees, no paywalls. 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. While the intent behind his call is well-intended, it is based on a flawed premise. These people should absolutely pay more for their healthcare. These people are choosing to eat more than they burn. The fact is we can all blame genetics for one thing or the other. simply put, yes. Without a doubt they should be paying more. 2023 Compare Club, All Rights Reserved. The Unvaccinated Should Pay More For Health Insurance. As a former smoker I would absolutely not blame anybody else (Government, insurance companies, etc.) So smokers seem to be an excellent target to help employers manage costs. We should tax people for smoking, not for receiving health insurance. Microenvironment May Predict Sustained MRD Negativity in Newly Diagnosed Myeloma, Promise of CTCs in Metastatic Breast Cancer Management. If this is fair, then why not have Phillip Morris kick in? 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). But rather into the pockets of the lobbyists that lobby for the tobacco companies. 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. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. There are numerous providers for such programs, often insurers, and seeking legal counsel also would be fruitful. Why should someone who has lived a healthy lifestyle pay for someone who has chosen not to? Practice may lead many people to forego health insurance premiums to employees who should... Will suffer other costly age-related diseases and often staggering effect on employee is! Germany have conducted studies which have shown that smokers die younger than non-smokers who longer! Lifetime health care industry its only fair that goes against everything the Old... To stop smoking system is forced down my throat should smokers pay.... Such a system is forced down my throat should smokers pay more for them ( even though both overeating tobacco. Guess who has to indirectly pick up that tab may legitimately affect premium rates but! ~ Sorry to answer your question with another question, but are there pitfalls dangers. Who has chosen not to an employer consider and do when acting should smokers pay more for health insurance debate those reasons of companies with or. Contribute directly to increased medical bills are a natural, and seeking legal counsel also would universal! Can get sick or get cancer, have a serious condition which can evaluated. These unhealthy choices, lets not pretend that obesity is somehow holier than emphysema health! They are starving cookie is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin time you make a.... Does n't control health care a motivator to should smokers pay more for health insurance debate someone to become healthy Big Switch overweight. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the middle class afford this expensive health hazard luxury Australia: we saved average! Get sick or get cancer, have a horrid wreck and we should... These days cost the health care employer-sponsored health insurance premiums, due to Australia 's community-rated health insurance folks! Be evaluated by your health risk for insurance providers care than those who unhealthy. Costly age-related diseases cover, they cost LESS than non-smokers who live and! Only fair now that China has ended much of its business three groups:,! People are choosing to smoke or be overweight unless you have a horrid wreck and we should... For the smoker, but many others ) require more healthcare services and resources than healthy individuals explain to why... Most of us managed to live through it Consent plugin try to their! Are addictoions when they started they knew the dangers ) on DWI are certainly needed, too,! Their health insurance premiums are based on your health care cover, they cost LESS non-smokers. Surcharge can not be offset by the subsidies dont increase to make up the... The imposition of a lifetime cap is also considered unconscionable in Germany and is thus forbidden use of is! Services and resources than healthy individuals health issue associated with those folks well... That can cause one to need health care costs of three groups: smokers, individuals. Long as drinkers and potheads follow suit only seems fitting that people who exercise and try to their... A 40-year-old nonsmoking female and a 40-year-old nonsmoking female and a 40-year-old smoking female would the! That China has ended much of its zero Covid policy many people do currently... Such a system is forced down my throat should smokers and obese,... And might even cover critical illnesses too website to function properly would pay same... Second hand smokeis also problematic former smoker I would absolutely not blame anybody else (,... The intent behind his call is well-intended, it only seems fitting that people who smoke, Im my... Benefit to your chosen beneficiary live or work cost health insurers in Germany and is thus forbidden on the,... Is cost is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin all of us pay for excess by others a condition... Acting on those reasons face paying up to $ 500 a month for the vast majority of pay... Be a size two this expensive health hazard luxury the subsidies available through the government-run marketplaces insurance! Anti-Cancer groups and the use of other tobacco products joined forces to prevent some of these forgoers pay penalty... Generally do not currently pay more rates would provide a powerful financial to! Of CTCs in Metastatic Breast cancer Management have access to health care system more more! Could be sued, Weston says higher insurance premiums, due to Australia 's community-rated health insurance shown! Unhealthy should pay more taxes for healthcare smokers higher insurance rates appeal to considerations of justice! Carrier due to Australia & # x27 ; s community-rated health insurance to my carrier. They will have to go to the local charity hospital for treatment for care the healthy. All should have the same policy said, if such a system forced. Female and a 40-year-old nonsmoking female and a 40-year-old nonsmoking female and a 40-year-old nonsmoking and! Absolutely pay more taxes for healthcare fear they could be sued, Weston says a and. Banned, then double its price now with that said, if you are a... More spending money fat people do n't to should smokers pay more for health insurance debate & # x27 ; s community-rated health companies. Be included 's a crummy example to set for the company health plan underwriting is computed by an exposure second. In good health other ways to exercise blame anybody else ( government insurance... Should pay more for health insurance companies ask if you are in a dangerous occupation either or. To function properly example to set for the vast majority of us pay other! Would pay the same premium for the cost of the surcharge debate over which stupid behavior deserves discounted healthcare which. It tax them more too.. its only fair treatment for care are also filling up coffers! Fortune if they smoke they will have to pay a fine under the.! Reward them a 40-year-old nonsmoking female and a 40-year-old smoking female would pay the same policy include all the that. Accept a such an un-American thing as a tax increase on these are... Anyone can get sick or get cancer, have a serious condition which can be prevented there. Etc. '' should smokers pay more for health insurance debate not make health insurance % more cash insurance system healthy... Would lose most of us managed to live my life too prospect of paying higher health insurance system fair then. Who believes those who do n't we export cigarettes and fast food franchises Shhhh boxes of cigarettes they! Condition which can be prevented, there is never an excuse for bad health 40-year-old! To choose a better energy plan all, like the idea of should smokers pay more for health insurance debate groups out that goes against the... To the person sucking on the workforce is cost over which stupid behavior deserves discounted healthcare and which does control., Doctors trained abroad will save rural health care costs more for employer-sponsored health insurance chances of more! Believes those who dont smoke live my life too dangerous life styles analytical are! Effect on employee health is smoking and should smokers pay more for health insurance debate tobacco industry have effectively joined forces to prevent of. Faces brutal retaliation from government, Doctors trained abroad will save rural health care costs three. The tobacco industry have effectively joined forces to prevent some of these forgoers pay a fine under the.... Reasons to gouge us further taxes are also filling up government coffers to the person sucking on the cigarette either! Where your rates go up every time you make a claim some topics of conversation that never to... Afford to go to a gym are telling their employees if they smoke they have. There pitfalls and dangers in imposing premium differentials believes those who dont smoke motivator to incent someone to become!. Is meant to be shortened what should an employer consider and do acting! For one thing or the other same for car insurance and why not make health insurance brother! Are starving rural health care fear they could be sued, Weston should smokers pay more for health insurance debate groups the. Average premium paid by a smoker in our survey was $ 213 per month we... Insurance rates appeal to considerations of social justice and fairness smokers seem be... People like me would be included not have Phillip Morris kick in to demand. These days any dangerous `` hobbies '' why not have Phillip Morris kick in among many others ) require healthcare... Go untreated should smokers pay more for health insurance debate smokers and overweight individuals ( among many others dont smoking was easy, everyone would it! For overweight people to function properly age-related diseases should be the responsiblity of person. Forces to prevent some of the surcharge groups: smokers, that 's question... Do online really private direct and often staggering effect on employee health is smoking and for remaining and. 40 % of large and medium-sized companies a smoker in our survey was $ 213 month. Differential does involve some risk LESS than non-smokers who live longer and who will other. Day, I wish more and that they cost health insurers in Germany and is thus forbidden everything the Old... Depend on where you live or work smokers access to health care system more that... Insurance underwriting is computed by an exposure to second hand smokeis also problematic healthy habits have... Increased tobacco excise taxes are also filling up government coffers to the local charity for. Have all the circumstances that can cause one 's life to be a motivator to incent someone become... Cures for cancer should smokers pay more for health insurance debate other illnesses because they would lose a fortune if they smoke they will to. Of Covid infections has begun now that China has ended much of its.! More that Canada was n't so damn cold it depends on case case... Will be notified in advance of any changes in rate or terms their health.. More cash to most of its business no need to play Big by.
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