lwmuddy
see above
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Joined: 04/07/2002
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Obesity is by far the biggest problem because over eating and eating the wrong foods is shown to us constantly on the TV ads. You might consider it a Fast food "Drive-by" eating disorder.
I think that most will willingly pay the increase fees,just so they can feed they're addiction to over eating.
With no big ads for Smoking it makes it "a little bit easier" to try to quit.
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Joined: 06/28/2003
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Remember, tobacco users get sick and die.
Those who don't use tobacco, get sick and linger on and on and...
Which group REALLY has higher health care costs?
The ONLY numbers that are ever publicized are the tobacco user numbers. "THEY" never give the numbers for "healthy" people!
I wonder why?
Just once, I would like to see a study widely publicized that gives the AVERAGE cost of medical care, from onset of symptoms to death, for BOTH smokers and non-smokers.
Yes, I used to smoke.
Yes, I have been tobacco-free for several years.
It is also good to remember that insurance companies are profit-driven. If you take away any of their "risk factors", they will find new ones to maximize their profits. Many states are telling the companies that they cannot base their rates on gender, or age, or occupation, etc., so they NEED to find something else to raise rates or deny coverage for, so their profit margin will stay the same (or increase).
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Doug4.7
Hartselle, AL, USA
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Joined: 10/02/2003
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corgihauler wrote:I see a difference between smoking and obesity.
Smoking is totally optional.
While the vast majority of obese people (and I'm one of them) are in the condition due to their own choices and habits, not all obese people because of their actions.
If people with medical conditions that contribute to being overweight, then what medical condition will be the next to pay increased rates? Steveo35 wrote:I'm good with it, especially if the programs have quit smoking and weight loss programs. That may be the key. If one is under medical treatment for a problem (obesity), then I could see then NOT being able to charge more (despite the actual treatment costs.
Our university is trying to start such a program, only they are using incentives to get us to quit smoking and lose weight.
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downtheroad
Puget Sound
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Joined: 02/18/2003
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Interesting..."NC smokers to pay more for insurance...doesn't North Carolina grow a lot of the nation's tobacco?
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Liriope
Sun City AZ 85351
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Joined: 05/28/2007
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It will not make a lot of difference or be fair UNLESS it is extended to the family. Example; Employee A is not over weight and does not paid additional premiums and he also has his family on the policy. Employee B is overweight and he pays an additional premium. However, employee A's wife is 100lbs overweight and all three of his kids are obese but neither employee B's wife or his 3 kids are overweight. Now which one of these employees with cost the insurance and the company more money in insurance claims. If charging overweight employees is accurate, then Employee A who pays the least will cost his employer more.
That is UNFAIR!!!!!! and should be challenged unless everyone on the policy are rated by the same standards.
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javaseuf
California's Gold Coast
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Joined: 03/30/2005
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The same issue arose a few years ago when some employers were either charging more premiums or canceling insurance for employees that drove motorcycles or participated in dangerous sports.
I tend to agree with the rate increase with overweight/smoking issue much more than with what I am driving.
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chuckster11
Idaho
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Joined: 04/30/2004
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This is completely legitimate. Smokers have paid more for life insurance for years as have the overweight--lots of private health insurance companies charge more for these two conditions as well. There is absolutely no reason that the tax payers of any state should foot the bill for people with unhealthy behaviors, if some of the cost of the insurance is subsidized by tax revenues, and they usually are.
Interestingly, actuarial statistics show that women should be charged more for health insurance across the board based on the frequency of their office visits and having more "conditions" requiring health care as compared to men. It was common just a few years ago to charge women higher rates for health insurance but that changed as a result of some social lobbying on the part of women activists--following that, the rates went up for men and the rates for women stayed essentially the same.
Nothing political or sexist here--just how the insurance industry works.
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lwmuddy
see above
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We have to start thinking and speaking of FEE's and not TAXES. The word Tax has a very bad connotation and upsets folks. You will need to pay a FEE if you're fat.
Smokers, you too will need to pay an added FEE to continue smoking.
Now honestly, doesn't that sound more pleasant and it rolls off your tongue.
Who would consider rioting over "Fees without representation?
It's a whole new beginning. Who could have imagined?
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winnietrey
seattle
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Joined: 03/26/2005
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We Americans are the fattest, most medicated, most stressed out and the least exercising people on the planet. Yet we are surprised we have such high health care costs.
Health care reform, no health care reform, really does not matter. If and until we change our ways, medical costs will only continue to rise. So this plan is a start at least. Cause nothing gets to us more as a people than our pocketbook
Right or wrong that is IMHO
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Of course, the NON-users of tobacco and the "healthily skinny" folks think these "fees" or "taxes" are just fine, and certainly justified.
HOWEVER, when BIG INSURANCE discovers that smokers are getting to be few and far between, and the morbidly obese get slimmed down, THEN they will have to find another way to maximize profits.
There is a very good chance that those who thought it was great for smokers and fast food junkies to be hit will find THEMSELVES targetted for some behavior they never even considered to be unhealthy.
I hope I live long enough to see it. A good laugh is always nice, as is a good "I TOLD YOU SO...!!!"
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