Offering health insurance is a choice employeers can make, so why should employeers have to to pay more for an employee who knowingly chose to live a unhealthy lifestyle? To be fair, policies adopted by employers or insurers would need to apply different rates to different smokers, depending on their individual risk. Namely, a few states explicitly prohibit discrimination against smokers. Instead, we should discourage them from smoking. Yes, I think they should be part of any risk pool their state has. Probably, as long as it does not lead to a denial of care or rates so high that they go uninsured. It's about personal responsibility. Copyright 2023 Insure.com. The same with booze, and other things that costs the country money to fix. The reason? Let's return to the days when we went to the doctor when we could afford it. States, however, can set their own rules to reduce or eliminate that surcharge, and 10 so far have chosen to do so. Adult film star Ron Jeremy found unable to stand trial for rape 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. There, I saw firsthand the incredibly high rate of smoking in a population that was mostly hidden from me in my everyday life. Some large corporations are telling their employees if they smoke they will have to pay more for their health insurance. While smokers pay much higher premiums for life cover, they generally do not pay more for health cover. An alternative might be to give those of us non-smokers and who are not obese a discount. They should foot the bill for the fat and un-healthy. We have been paying more for our health care for several years because we smoke. As well as those who are too thin. These of course probably don't have insurance at all. How to find good vaccine information online. Yes! Insurance companies argue that its only fair to charge tobacco users more. Do we want someone not going to the doctor for fear of their rates going up? If you drive an expensive or exotic car you pay more for insurance. 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. As we will see, too, the harmful effect of these behaviors are not just medically related. Last month, I rotated in the Bronx at a federally qualified health center. Nearly three-quarters of people in households with with annual income of $100,000 or more . Hey Jack- These people should probably pay more but YOU should pay more attention to the words you use. Figure out your major motivation and use it to help you through your journey. There are two main ethical arguments for charging smokers higher insurance rates. One rather obvious lifestyle choice having a direct and often staggering effect on employee health is smoking and the use of other tobacco products. You'll be able to breathe better. Health insurers are divided in how they treat users of e-cigarettes, which deliver nicotine but are not a tobacco product. We are delighted that you'd like to resume your subscription. Please click OK to accept. Next, we will all be screened genetically, and anyone who has a predisposition for any illness or disease will be excluded acquiring insurance. They are using 25% more insurance, they should be paying 25% more! Of course, this is America, corporations are free to do anything they want and individuals pay all the freight. Education is a better tactic by health care companies. Sure, as well as people with over active tyroids, and underactive thyroids, and those with ADHD, and those on high blood pressure medicine, and anyone with a pre-existing condition including acne, as some insurance companies rate it. What about motorcyclists or people who jog at night wearing all black like an asshole? What's next then? There are several objections to this argument. 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Hospitals charge a kings ransom for a box of Kleenex. Will those that enjoy dangerous sports have to pay more. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. It is a fact that if you leave an unhealthy lifestyle, your lifespan will be shorten and costlier. Let me get this straight, "the not poor" buy "the poor" food, while "the poor" buy cigarettes. While it is important to encourage people to stop smoking, charging smokers higher insurance rates may not be a fair or effective method of achieving this goal. A recent article in Health Affairs estimated its annual cost to be $147 billion and growing. 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. To appreciate the solution, let me expand on the flaws in health insurance surcharges. Fat people and smokers definetly should pay more for their Health Insurance. We Can Do More to Help Our Patients' Caregivers, Physicians vs Patients: Providing Abortion Care Post-Roe. All this can be prevented, there is no excuse whatsoever for smoking and for remaining overweight and not actively trying to change. They've introduced weight loss programs or classes to help people stop smoking. C) Is a longer and improved life not a good motivation? More importantly, for the purposes of this post, when surcharges arose in 2014, there was a pretty steep decline in the percent of smokers who purchased insurance. Smokers, yes. 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. By some sort of body mass formula? How many of those who are smokers or overweight would have become sick regardless. By the number of cigarettes a person smokes in a day? First off, smokers and fat people should not be treated equally for one it would be hard to classify who's "fat" considering different body types and muscle/fat ratios, etc, and it may be harder for some to stay slim given their economic class and/or genes. Smokers do not currently pay more for health insurance premiums, due to Australia's community-rated health insurance system. According to the utilitarian argument, charging smokers more will encourage them to quit, which will improve public health and reduce societys smoking-related costs. I would like to start this counter-debate by saying you see more drunk driving deaths than smoker deaths because news reporters report car accidents, not cancer Smoking increases health risks and should be banned in public places. So instead, companies are now going to start making these employees pay more. life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all, jack. execept for those fat people and smokers. 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. Thanks Jack! 88% of smokers began smoking before age 18. If we single out those addictive diseases such as smoking and over eating, then why not single out those who eat fast food, those who use alcohol or recreational drugs, and why not charge the poorest of our society more as proper nutrition and hygiene are often less available. Yes. Charging people rates based on their personal risks protects insurance companies against moral hazard, people taking risks without bearing the consequences. But should smokers pay more for health insurance? Why would us healthier employees have to foot their hiking rate of insurance for them? As one who quit smoking 40+ years ago and has struggled throughout my life with my weight, I've been able to control both problems without the aid of health club memberships, weight loss programs etc. The idea is simple: smokers have the right to smoke, but not the right to pass on the increased cost of their healthcare to others. I run and workout quite a bit and in physical shape, but according to Body Mass Index, I'm considered obese. When you apply for health insurance, you are required to report whether or not you are a smoker. Russian TV Touts a Big Victory in Ukraine. And critics of higher rates for smokers say the practice can make health insurance unaffordable for many, especially those with lower incomes. P.S:- I am not a somker or fat(atleast for now) so no bias aganist smokers. Here are a few tips for quitting smoking: Find your why. If I take up smoking or get fat, I'm applying for a government job. I don't like the idea of making anyone pay more (people pay enough as it is), I think discounts for good behavior would be appropriate. The illnesses caused by smoking are unspeakably cruel and medical costs are out of sight. Corporate medical syndrome, anyone? 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. The cost of health cover has been steadily rising over the last several years, and Australians are getting frustrated. D) Is there any way to motivate self-control? Then He Blurted out without being called upon. Many studies have shown that smokers cost the health care system more and that they cost health insurers more. What are they planning for the medicaid system, smokers and fat individuals that receive public assistance and free insurance. simply put, yes. Of course, lowering taxes on the rich, which is essentially stealing money from the next generation, means you're a conservative capitalist. 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. Smoking and the lack of eating healthy and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a choice everyone can make. Luis Rosales. 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. Sadly in America we have far more unhealthy people than healthy so this will probably be resisted and some groups will get involved and say it's discrimination. The increased tobacco excise taxes are also filling up government coffers to the tune of an estimated $8 billion each year. My ex-doctor had 9 signs on the wall of his waiting room stating cash for service rendered and no Medicare accepted. However, quitting smoking can help reverse the negative health effects of tobacco, giving you a better chance at a longer, healthier life -- not to mention the money you'll save on cigarettes and healthcare! then we must determine just what obese means, and to whom. There should also be discounts for people who live an active life style, and take care of themselves in comparison to their age group! It is only fair that those who have negative behavior pay more for their health care. Fresh food is cheaper than junk food and less food costs less than more food. As for being overweight, it doesn't cost anything to walk either in the mornings or evenings, and staying away from the dingdongs and cheezypoofs might help as well. Genetic factors can also increase health risks, but genetic discrimination in employment and insurance is illegal in the U.S. and many countries. Use whatever they have on hand as weights. 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. Or are light-skinned and prone to sun burns? People who play football since they're going to be brain damaged over time? 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 ? Studies have shown thatmonetary incentivescan significantly increase smoking cessation. Our websites do not, and are not intended to, provide a comprehensive list of all companies that may provide the products and services you are seeking. Quitting is hard, and you don't have to go it alone. Of course they should pay more. If the answer is a choice between free behavior modification/education and wasting money on junk food, and they choose to waste money, this will decrease the money for waste, and encourage adopting behavior to save that money. SMoking, excessive drinking, over eating should be the responsiblity of the person who practices these activiites. Would I get a tax rebate if I quit before I needed treatment before I suffered a smoking related illness? Because many companies self-insure - meaning they pay for health care. Lower the rates on those that live heathier lifestyles and leave me the heck alone. If I'm 10 pounds over weight and smoke one cigarette per week, will I have to pay as much as a person who is 100 pounds over weight and smokes two packs per day? 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. 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. Specifically, they shouldnt have to pay to subsidize the healthcare costs of people who choose to smoke. Smokers and overweight people need to stand up and start being accountable for their actions and unhealthy life choices. Jack, glad you touched on a subject I feel so passionate about. Yes, I think that people who smoke and are obese should pay more in health insurance premiums to offset the increasing costs of their eventual care once they become ill as a result of their unhealthy lifestyle. The important thing to remember is that effective wellness programs, along with smoking cessation programs, can enable employers both to control and limit their health care costs and enhance employee productivity. The most obviou and clearest cases of physical abuse by a person on themselves should cost the perpetrator. Around 60,000 Australian households were quizzed about health insuranceby One Big Switch. Microenvironment May Predict Sustained MRD Negativity in Newly Diagnosed Myeloma, Promise of CTCs in Metastatic Breast Cancer Management. 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. I think people are stressed out with todays world, They have/show no feelings for themselves. Wal-Mart, which insures more than 1 million people, is one such company. So why should healthy people pay subsidize healthcare for unhealthy people? Higher insurance premiums price smokers out of insurance markets. It has had significant effects on obesity throughj dirt control in schools, Tougher laws on DWI are certainly needed, too. Some also argue that hiking smokers premiums serves as an incentive for them to kick the habit. In this atmosphere, employers must do what they can to control costs. The Affordable Care Act allows insurers to charge smokers up to 50% more than what nonsmokers pay for some health plans. Health care is a basic human right and that right is not negated by smoking or overeating. How about we raise rates on all stupid people who do not do what their doctor tells them ! 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. That's their problem! Should smokers pay more for health insurance? Fortunately, theres a simple solution to the problem. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Sounds like the Republican/Tea Party Health Care Reform Plan to mer. Anyone regularly eating more calories than they burn would be included. And also the health care system could be smokers already pay more in excise taxes than the social costs of their habits. Just as your auto loan down payment and interest rate are computed by your credit, income, stability, etc which creates the exposure to the risk of loan default. Instead, the GOP would send them straight to the great State of Texas and have them serve 30 days in the electric chair (that is, unless you are a millionaire or John Boehner). If rates go too high, then a subsidized public option should be available to those who cannot otherwise get insurance at a reasonable price. Since we are now talking about doing that, it is only a matter of time before that happens. A study of 20,000 employees showed that smokers had more hospital visits per 1,000 (124 versus 76), had a longer average length of stay (6.5 versus 5 days) and made six more visits to health care facilities per year than non-smokers. Or. Only if drunks & drug addicts will pay more. And we'd love to know where you're writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment. HORRIBLE! Although most states allow the surcharge to be up to 50 percent, its not happening, she says. While the intent behind his call is well-intended, it is based on a flawed premise. Working-age Americans are not legally required to purchase health insurance. I don't have cancer. Tax credits to help pay for health insurance are available to. Come on, being fat and being a smoker are BOTH addictions and choices, just like a drug addict. Smokers, along with the tobacco industry, should pay to cover healthcare costs associated with their bad habit. upheld hand. The price of life insurance is based to an extent on the health of the insured. I overheard a pharmaceutical rep entice him with all kinds of freebies to push her drugs. Cost of health care must be addressed, everyone should be required to purchase insurance. CCA is a credit rep (Credit Representative Number 519886) of Alternative Media Pty Ltd (ACL Number 486326), please see our Credit Guide. Not everyone is meant to be a size two. Heres how to protect yourself from its side-effects. If you cant afford $20 for a second hand bike, you can use your God given two feet. What is a creepy fact about the human body? cy from arlington, va. Health care costs more for them (even though both overeating and tobacco are addictoions when they started they knew the dangers). Jack Cafferty sounds off hourly on the Situation Room on the stories crossing his radar. For your family? Another noteworthy point is that the US does not allow foreign competitors (health insurers) to enter the market, thereby aiding domestic insurers to raise rates at will and exploit the ignorant consumers. 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". Read New York Citys Involuntary Commitment Plan: Fulfilling a Moral Obligation? Then we get into a whole debate over which stupid behavior deserves discounted healthcare and which doesn't. Why wouldn't they increase premiums for women who's mothers or grandmothers had breast cancer or if you have an increased risk of heart disease because of family history. How would you feel about riding in a car that drives itself? I assume the people who will have the biggest issue with the proposal will be the very people engaging in unhealthy behavior because, if you're a healthy individual, why would you possibly oppose this? Our patient, weighing over 600 lbs., was above the weight limit of our hospital systems scanner tables and those of all the other major medical centers that we called in our large city. Stop smoking and spend that money on better food. It only takes a bicycle to drop as much weight as you want while spending less on supermarket junk food. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If you do this let's include ALL the circumstances that can shorten life or cause one to need health care. What do the smokers think? When insurance companies price smokers out of their products, we all pay. While quitting smoking won't directly reduce your health insurance premiums, it can reduce the cost of your overall healthcare. Posted by Susan Gilbert at 09/19/2013 02:47:13 PM|. We, AOL, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. If you have a thyroid problem, you'd better have a doctor's note. 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.". We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. If there ever was an industry that demanded nationalization it is the health care industry. smokers get the ass end of every stick, even though people do way stupider things that risk their lives. 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. 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. I'm not a smoker nor fat. That's up from 19% this year and only 8% in 2009. Yes, Jack. The Netherlands still has 3.1 million smokers, of whom 465,000 smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day. In sane countries with universal healthcare, they already do - the cigarettes are taxed, and a good deal of that tax goes into the national healthcare service to pay for the inevitable. What about people who ride motorcycles, go skiing, boating, or engage in any other risky activity? It's a slippery slope. I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and I could stand to lose a few pounds. No one should be able to tell an adult that she cant spend her hard-earned money on cigarettes. They already spend more money, on cigs and food, than I do. Sadly, yes ! More profit. It never ends. That means they have to go to the local charity hospital for treatment for care. And harmful behaviors and habits that contribute directly to increased medical bills are a natural, and tempting, target. 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. The employer cant just hope the employee finds out about the wellness program either, Weston says. Or somewhat young in age and more prone to colds than older folks? Yes, they should. For your bank account?