I saw this on Yahoo News this morning. What do you think?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061114/pl_nm/insurance_dc

people that engage in risky behaviors have to pay more for life insurance why shouldn't those that engage in risky health habits have to pay more? it makes sense to me. it's not discrimination its common sense

people that engage in risky behaviors have to pay more for life insurance why shouldn't those that engage in risky health habits have to pay more? it makes sense to me. it's not discrimination its common sense

So what about drinkers? People who used to do drugs in the past? People who have health issues that run in the family? People who drink caffiene (its a drug) People who drink Aspartame (in alot of diet sodas) The list could go on and on and on. So if your gonna do it for 1 group or 2 groups (smokers and obese) You need to do it for all. Not to mention, some people who are obese, have medical conditions and CANNOT lose the weight, they eat right, etc.

So what about drinkers? People who used to do drugs in the past? People who have health issues that run in the family? People who drink caffiene (its a drug) People who drink Aspartame (in alot of diet sodas) The list could go on and on and on. So if your gonna do it for 1 group or 2 groups (smokers and obese) You need to do it for all. Not to mention, some people who are obese, have medical conditions and CANNOT lose the weight, they eat right, etc.

most health insurance agencies do pre-insurance health checkups where you get blood work run, stress tests, and everything else to determine your health conditions. i don't think it should be someone that smokes a ocassionally or a pack or two a week but for people that smoke 6+ packs a day yeah they should. as for those who are morbidly obese and aren't taking steps to do anything than yes they should be too. it is a good theory on paper but i don't think it'll happen in the near future.

ETA: drinkers that are chronic alcoholics them too, there are alot of health problems involved in that.

I don't think we should have to pay more...and the reason I don't think we should have to is...if we had to pay more, there would be alot less of us having medical coverage and if we don't have medical coverage, were setting ourself up for more health problems. So I guess what they are saving is if you can't afford more costs for the health insurace your better off dead. I know for me I have high blood pressure and i'm a diabetic and if I couldn't afford medical coverage i'm not going to be able to afford the medicine I need to be on to help keep my blood sugars level and that will put me in an early grave.

true sezzy.

i posted another post just now that totally makes me look like a hypocrite. i responded before i thought

eta: foot goes in mouth

we need a smiley for that

Ok I am over weight, it runs in my family. So that would mean even though I am completely healthy except for taking allergy medication. I would have to pay more just because I am fat. No I think that is completely wrong. Isnt it bad enough that insurance is expensive enough already.

If they keep raising the costs for insurance NOBODY will be able to afford it except the wealthy

My mother is a tiny and very skinny, and she has really high blood pressure. I myself have had high blood pressure since I was 15 and 107 pounds. Some things are not always caused just by being obese. Also my grandfather (who died at age 52) weighed 125 pounds and had so many heart problems and had two heart attacks by age 45!

Why should I have to pay for the "thin" people who decide to over do.....let's say playing sports and is on their 3rd knee replacement:rolleyes .........or the person who decides to involve in "risky" sporting activities :rolleyes Just becasue those are considered "healthy" activities in our society:banghead

I guess being fat sucks. Oh well I suck b/c I'm fatlol.

I am surprised that this is a new thing. The year that DH got out, I had to pay higher premiums because we both smoke. :dunno