Smokers Beware

[Dad2142Dad 6,559]

Glad I quit, but where is the extra fees for being FAT

The Affordable Care Act – “Obamacare” to its detractors – allows health insurers to charge smokers buying individual policies up to 50 percent higher premiums starting next Jan. 1.

 

 

http://www.aikenstandard.com/article/20130125/AIK0106/130129736/1004/penalty-could-keep-smokers-out-of-health-overhaul

Edited January 25, 2013 by Dad2142Dad

[thebuns1 4,323]

What a crock of shit. So much for affordable care. Glad I got mine through my work. This is going to fuck a lot of good people. More power for them to deny people in a certain age group, while racking in more coin for those that need it.

[macbeau 902]

Glad I quit, but where is the extra fees for being FAT

It's coming...

We're already paying the tax for collective retardation!

[montec 164]

They are already doing this where I work, $600 surcharge for smokers. $1200 if you cover your spouse and he/she smokes. Oh and there is also a Spousal surcharger of $1800/yr if you are covering your spouse and they have insurance available thru their work. I thought that was why we paid more to cover out spouse or family plan. I dont smoke, buy many of my co-workers do.

 

The grumbling came out this year, since they have to pay a surcharge due to higher risk, so should people that don't own a firearm, gay males due to riskier behavior, among other things.

[Shandlanos 1,470]

*shrug*

I don't have that much of a problem with this.

Smoking causes a lot of health problems, and smoking is a choice. Choosing that behavior puts you at a much higher risk of developing health problems that will cost an insurance company a shitload of money - from a capitalist point of view, as a smoker you should be charged more.

[sean8642 77]

I think it's fine, although I can see the same argument used for the obese, and people that drink.

 

Basically, people are addicted to fattening foods, same as someone can be addicted to cigarettes. You could make the same argument it's their choice to over-eat and/or not exercise.

 

Also alcohol, not just it damaging the body, but the accidents caused by drunk drivers injuring people every year.

 

All these are health hazard "choices" on a similar level imo.

[HappYBallZ 31]

I would not have a problem with it if insurance was not REQUIRED as they are trying to implement it as such. That is pure extortion since you have no choice on simply being uninsured. I can agree that your health will not get better from smoking but every-ones body reacts differently; some get cancer in a year and some smoke for 20 years and have little to no visible consequences.

 

I would like to see independent study of how much more expensive smokers really are compared to non-smokers.

[haugpatr 972]

*shrug*

 

I don't have that much of a problem with this.

 

Smoking causes a lot of health problems, and smoking is a choice. Choosing that behavior puts you at a much higher risk of developing health problems that will cost an insurance company a shitload of money - from a capitalist point of view, as a smoker you should be charged more.

 

That may be true, but where does it stop? They need to start with fat people as they really burden the system.

[eric1785 15]

just how will they know who smokes?

[Remek 771]

Well, I was a light smoker. Just quit today. Fuck, everyone around me is going to annoyed by me more!

[patriot 7,197]

Our health ins. at work is trying to get everyone to buy a "fitbit" http://www.fitbit.com/one

It's a monitor you wear 24/7.

Here's what they say it does:

 

For starters, it never rests. During the day, it tracks your steps, distance, calories burned, and stairs climbed. Come nightfall, it measures your sleep cycle, helps you learn how to sleep better, and wakes you in the morning. The One™ motivates you to reach your goals by bringing greater fitness into your life – seamlessly, socially, 24 hours a day.

 

The ones who ponied up and bought one, and gave a blood sample to the insurance company get a discount on their insurance.

I told them to go to hell, that it was none of their business what I do when I'm not at work.

 

As soon as people got them, they started looking for a way to cheat. Hanging it from the dog's collar and letting the dog out to play is a favorite. One guy puts his on the vibe table at work, so his shows ridiculous levels of activity.

All to cheat the system. It's worthless, and a HUGE invasion of our privacy, all for a 15% discount, and access to the top tier health care plan, which has been made unavailable to those who will not surrender blood samples.

 

I don't smoke, rarely drink, and am reasonably healthy, so I'm not much of an insurance risk for them, but because I refuse to let them pry into my life, I'm denied access to the top tier plan, at any price.

 

Fuck 'em.

Edited January 25, 2013 by patriot

[eric1785 15]

its easy guys, just have 10 kids will an illegal and quit your job, you will get housing, medical/dental and free food all payed for by the ones that work. oh i almost forgot a free cell phone as well.

Edited January 25, 2013 by eric1785

[Sim_Player 1,939]

For those who aren't bothered by this....it won't stop with smokers.

 

Any kind of "risky behavior is now on the table for discussion. Do you ride a motorcycle, are overweight, underweight, enjoy scuba diving, play sports, drink alcohol, have a genetic predisposition for any disease, etc, etc.

 

But don't worry the government is just here to help.

[Shandlanos 1,470]

*shrug*

 

I don't have that much of a problem with this.

 

Smoking causes a lot of health problems, and smoking is a choice. Choosing that behavior puts you at a much higher risk of developing health problems that will cost an insurance company a shitload of money - from a capitalist point of view, as a smoker you should be charged more.

 

That may be true, but where does it stop? They need to start with fat people as they really burden the system.

 

That would likely be illegal under the same act - genetic discrimination is specifically disallowed by the act, and many people are genetically predisposed to obesity. For some, obesity is caused by overeating, lack of exercise, or other controllable factors - some are simply genetically predisposed to obesity, and if they eat a reasonable diet, will be fat.

 

Similarly, alcoholism has been defined as a disease - and under the act it will be illegal to reject someone or charge them more for health insurance for a pre-existing condition. Drinking a reasonable amount of alcohol (especially in the form of red wine) has been shown by studies to be good for one's health.

 

It's unlikely this is a slippery slope - always possible, but unlikely.

[coronet 131]

Wait a minute, why am I paying $6.50 to $7 for a pack of smokes again? I thought all these extra taxes were supposed to pay for smoking related issues? I remember when smokes were $0.50 cents a pack, and they STILL collected taxes on them then. Where are all the extra taxes going to now? If companies can charge extra for the insurance, then gov should repeal the taxes. I need to win a lottery, lol. A big one.

[sean8642 77]

*shrug*

 

I don't have that much of a problem with this.

 

Smoking causes a lot of health problems, and smoking is a choice. Choosing that behavior puts you at a much higher risk of developing health problems that will cost an insurance company a shitload of money - from a capitalist point of view, as a smoker you should be charged more.

 

That may be true, but where does it stop? They need to start with fat people as they really burden the system.

 

That would likely be illegal under the same act - genetic discrimination is specifically disallowed by the act, and many people are genetically predisposed to obesity. For some, obesity is caused by overeating, lack of exercise, or other controllable factors - some are simply genetically predisposed to obesity, and if they eat a reasonable diet, will be fat.

 

Similarly, alcoholism has been defined as a disease - and under the act it will be illegal to reject someone or charge them more for health insurance for a pre-existing condition. Drinking a reasonable amount of alcohol (especially in the form of red wine) has been shown by studies to be good for one's health.

 

It's unlikely this is a slippery slope - always possible, but unlikely.

 

So only 12% of adults were "genetically" obese in the early 60's, but now almost 36% of adults are "genetically" obese, with a projection of 44% obese by 2030?

 

Fat people just keep getting hornier by the year I guess, spreading their bad genetics.

[gunman1 1,753]

*shrug*

 

I don't have that much of a problem with this.

 

Smoking causes a lot of health problems, and smoking is a choice. Choosing that behavior puts you at a much higher risk of developing health problems that will cost an insurance company a shitload of money - from a capitalist point of view, as a smoker you should be charged more.

 

That may be true, but where does it stop? They need to start with fat people as they really burden the system.

Well I don't agree with either one of you........as I see it they should start with assfuckers, I mean whatwith the cost of AIDS meds, and skul jockys, which about everyone of them go to, and the eventual sex change operation, its the assfuckers that are the real problem here don't you see.

[gunman1 1,753]

Our health ins. at work is trying to get everyone to buy a "fitbit" http://www.fitbit.com/one

It's a monitor you wear 24/7.

Here's what they say it does:

 

For starters, it never rests. During the day, it tracks your steps, distance, calories burned, and stairs climbed. Come nightfall, it measures your sleep cycle, helps you learn how to sleep better, and wakes you in the morning. The One™ motivates you to reach your goals by bringing greater fitness into your life – seamlessly, socially, 24 hours a day.

 

The ones who ponied up and bought one, and gave a blood sample to the insurance company get a discount on their insurance.

I told them to go to hell, that it was none of their business what I do when I'm not at work.

 

As soon as people got them, they started looking for a way to cheat. Hanging it from the dog's collar and letting the dog out to play is a favorite. One guy puts his on the vibe table at work, so his shows ridiculous levels of activity.

All to cheat the system. It's worthless, and a HUGE invasion of our privacy, all for a 15% discount, and access to the top tier health care plan, which has been made unavailable to those who will not surrender blood samples.

 

I don't smoke, rarely drink, and am reasonably healthy, so I'm not much of an insurance risk for them, but because I refuse to let them pry into my life, I'm denied access to the top tier plan, at any price.

 

Fuck 'em.

And he shall bare the number 666

[poolingmyignorance 2,191]

I knew this shit was coming as soon as I saw progressive offer their "snap shot" for driving. They'd love to have that this perminately installed, link tiit to a GPS, send you a rate hike AND a ticket everytime you exceed the speed limit.

The one for people will probaly have a fucking microphone to review "unhealthy" conversations...

Edited January 29, 2013 by poolingmyignorance