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Do you think obese/overweight people should pay more for health insurance?

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Replies

  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    hesn92 wrote: »
    No. Everyone should be entitled to the same level of healthcare. I feel it's a basic human right. It's similar to charging people more who have a pre existing condition. What else, are we going to charge people more who have a genetic predisposition to certain Illnesses?

    Basic human rights would be life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

    You have no right to demand services provided by another individual.
    Wait, isn't that what insurance is though? If someone needed a car repair, they pay their deductible and the "pooled" money from everyone else pays the rest. How is that different than healthcare?

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    hesn92 wrote: »
    No. Everyone should be entitled to the same level of healthcare. I feel it's a basic human right. It's similar to charging people more who have a pre existing condition. What else, are we going to charge people more who have a genetic predisposition to certain Illnesses?

    Basic human rights would be life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

    You have no right to demand services provided by another individual.
    Wait, isn't that what insurance is though? If someone needed a car repair, they pay their deductible and the "pooled" money from everyone else pays the rest. How is that different than healthcare?

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png


    Mostly, nobody has to have car insurance.

    The recent changes in health care law eliminated a number of popular insurance options. Many young professionals and college students were buying packages that provided catastrophic coverage only... No routine prescriptions, no preventative, no dental. $10-25K deductible, no payout cap. for a 25 year old relatively healthy adult that coverage cost a couple hundred dollars a year.

  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    There is just ONE reason that healthcare is expensive in the US............................................profit. Until the US becomes a not for profit venture, health care costs for people are just going to keep rising. And really we could have a decent government healthcare system if we diverted money to it. Problem is, taxpayer money is diverted to other profit ventures that benefit people in politics more than it does the people themselves.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

    Absolutely NOT! All you need to do is look at the VA and Medicaid/Medicare.
  • toned_thugs_n_harmony
    toned_thugs_n_harmony Posts: 1,001 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    hesn92 wrote: »
    No. Everyone should be entitled to the same level of healthcare. I feel it's a basic human right. It's similar to charging people more who have a pre existing condition. What else, are we going to charge people more who have a genetic predisposition to certain Illnesses?

    Basic human rights would be life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

    You have no right to demand services provided by another individual.
    Wait, isn't that what insurance is though? If someone needed a car repair, they pay their deductible and the "pooled" money from everyone else pays the rest. How is that different than healthcare?

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png


    Mostly, nobody has to have car insurance.

    The recent changes in health care law eliminated a number of popular insurance options. Many young professionals and college students were buying packages that provided catastrophic coverage only... No routine prescriptions, no preventative, no dental. $10-25K deductible, no payout cap. for a 25 year old relatively healthy adult that coverage cost a couple hundred dollars a year.

    nobody has to have car insurance? pretty sure it's illegal to drive without it but OK.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    hesn92 wrote: »
    No. Everyone should be entitled to the same level of healthcare. I feel it's a basic human right. It's similar to charging people more who have a pre existing condition. What else, are we going to charge people more who have a genetic predisposition to certain Illnesses?

    Basic human rights would be life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

    You have no right to demand services provided by another individual.
    Wait, isn't that what insurance is though? If someone needed a car repair, they pay their deductible and the "pooled" money from everyone else pays the rest. How is that different than healthcare?

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png


    Mostly, nobody has to have car insurance.

    The recent changes in health care law eliminated a number of popular insurance options. Many young professionals and college students were buying packages that provided catastrophic coverage only... No routine prescriptions, no preventative, no dental. $10-25K deductible, no payout cap. for a 25 year old relatively healthy adult that coverage cost a couple hundred dollars a year.

    nobody has to have car insurance? pretty sure it's illegal to drive without it but OK.

    In the US, it depends on the state.
  • Macy9336
    Macy9336 Posts: 694 Member
    Macy9336 wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    lorrpb wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    hesn92 wrote: »
    No. Everyone should be entitled to the same level of healthcare. I feel it's a basic human right. It's similar to charging people more who have a pre existing condition. What else, are we going to charge people more who have a genetic predisposition to certain Illnesses?

    Basic human rights would be life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

    You have no right to demand services provided by another individual.

    Are you saying there is no relationship between healthcare and life?

    Life - as in you have the unalienable right to live your life as you see fit - enjoy the rewards as well as suffer the consequences for your behavior. You have no right to demand services provided by another individual. That would be a clear infringement upon their unalienable rights.

    And yet csar is fine with everyone being entitled to the same level of fire or police services.....that's an exception to his 'you cannot demand services' mantra.

    I can't speak for CSAR, but if those services became Paygo/privatized as they were until the mid 19th century that would be quite alright.

    Citation needed. Police and fire have been public services since Roman times as best I know..courtesy of the vigiles cohorts. After that, the requirement devolved to the feudal overlords who ran their own governments and services within their lands. Eventually as nation states arose, it devolved to the monarchies. Where it is currently.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    Macy9336 wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    lorrpb wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    hesn92 wrote: »
    No. Everyone should be entitled to the same level of healthcare. I feel it's a basic human right. It's similar to charging people more who have a pre existing condition. What else, are we going to charge people more who have a genetic predisposition to certain Illnesses?

    Basic human rights would be life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

    You have no right to demand services provided by another individual.

    Are you saying there is no relationship between healthcare and life?

    Life - as in you have the unalienable right to live your life as you see fit - enjoy the rewards as well as suffer the consequences for your behavior. You have no right to demand services provided by another individual. That would be a clear infringement upon their unalienable rights.

    And yet csar is fine with everyone being entitled to the same level of fire or police services.....that's an exception to his 'you cannot demand services' mantra.

    Depends on the nation. In the US there is a clear distinction - one of the responsibilities of government is to provide security to the citizens. So in this case this supports and ensures that life, liberty and pursuit of happiness is achievable.

    Law enforcement is an inherent role of government. Healthcare is not.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Collecting services you are legally and/or contractually entitled to is not the same thing as being a slave master.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    hesn92 wrote: »
    No. Everyone should be entitled to the same level of healthcare. I feel it's a basic human right. It's similar to charging people more who have a pre existing condition. What else, are we going to charge people more who have a genetic predisposition to certain Illnesses?

    Basic human rights would be life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

    You have no right to demand services provided by another individual.
    Wait, isn't that what insurance is though? If someone needed a car repair, they pay their deductible and the "pooled" money from everyone else pays the rest. How is that different than healthcare?

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png


    Are you forced to purchase insurance? Does the insurance company send over a law enforcement branch if you don't purchase their product?

    Apples and oranges. Insurance is a free market product.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    hesn92 wrote: »
    No. Everyone should be entitled to the same level of healthcare. I feel it's a basic human right. It's similar to charging people more who have a pre existing condition. What else, are we going to charge people more who have a genetic predisposition to certain Illnesses?

    Basic human rights would be life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

    You have no right to demand services provided by another individual.
    Wait, isn't that what insurance is though? If someone needed a car repair, they pay their deductible and the "pooled" money from everyone else pays the rest. How is that different than healthcare?

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png


    Mostly, nobody has to have car insurance.

    The recent changes in health care law eliminated a number of popular insurance options. Many young professionals and college students were buying packages that provided catastrophic coverage only... No routine prescriptions, no preventative, no dental. $10-25K deductible, no payout cap. for a 25 year old relatively healthy adult that coverage cost a couple hundred dollars a year.

    nobody has to have car insurance? pretty sure it's illegal to drive without it but OK.

    Nobody has to drive!! :)
  • Macy9336
    Macy9336 Posts: 694 Member
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Macy9336 wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    lorrpb wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    hesn92 wrote: »
    No. Everyone should be entitled to the same level of healthcare. I feel it's a basic human right. It's similar to charging people more who have a pre existing condition. What else, are we going to charge people more who have a genetic predisposition to certain Illnesses?

    Basic human rights would be life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

    You have no right to demand services provided by another individual.

    Are you saying there is no relationship between healthcare and life?

    Life - as in you have the unalienable right to live your life as you see fit - enjoy the rewards as well as suffer the consequences for your behavior. You have no right to demand services provided by another individual. That would be a clear infringement upon their unalienable rights.

    And yet csar is fine with everyone being entitled to the same level of fire or police services.....that's an exception to his 'you cannot demand services' mantra.

    Depends on the nation. In the US there is a clear distinction - one of the responsibilities of government is to provide security to the citizens. So in this case this supports and ensures that life, liberty and pursuit of happiness is achievable.

    Law enforcement is an inherent role of government. Healthcare is not.

    It's true it depends on the nation as different nations have different opinions on human rights and governmental roles. I for one think healthcare is necessary for both life and the pursuit of happiness and by providing the same level to all citizens, it is not unduly impeding the rights of other citizens.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    There is just ONE reason that healthcare is expensive in the US............................................profit. Until the US becomes a not for profit venture, health care costs for people are just going to keep rising. And really we could have a decent government healthcare system if we diverted money to it. Problem is, taxpayer money is diverted to other profit ventures that benefit people in politics more than it does the people themselves.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

    Every healthcare system is for profit. Are you suggesting that bureaucrats work for free?

    You can never have decent healthcare without a motive of profit. This is the primary reason healthcare costs have risen beyond the rest of the consumer index - deliberate insertion of middlemen (government and insurance).

    If you allowed free market forces to compete then you would not have instances where Epipens rose to prohibitive prices. You would have competitive companies offering products at a reduced price to gain market share. Government is the problem, not the solution.
  • SilverSheWolf55
    SilverSheWolf55 Posts: 95 Member
    edited June 2017
    From my experience, insurance does keep getting more expensive...no matter age, medical history, smoker, non smoker. The company where I work use to have "High Plan" and "Base Plan". After OBAMACARE, the "High Plan" went out the window. Now we have a CDHP PLAN and a Base PPO PLAN . With the CDHP plan, one has to "come up" with $2500.00 "out of pocket" before you will be covered at 100%. I can't afford that. I have to take the Base PPO plan, then come out of pocket $500.00 for only an 80% coverage. I also have a "Flex Spending" plan where I put away $25.00 a paycheck to cover the 20% the insurance doesn't cover. BOTH plans we have to have a Biometric Screening AND Health Assessment by our doctor to even quality for either of the plans. If you don't get this done, you have to pay a higher deductible.

    So as far as my insurance plan, it will cost more IF you do not "fit the criteria". There are "incentives" to help one stop smoking, loose weight, etc. Either go through the steps required, or pay a higher premium and deductible.

    As I said, this is ONLY THROUGH MY EMPLOYER....not sure how others work.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    Macy9336 wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    lorrpb wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    hesn92 wrote: »
    No. Everyone should be entitled to the same level of healthcare. I feel it's a basic human right. It's similar to charging people more who have a pre existing condition. What else, are we going to charge people more who have a genetic predisposition to certain Illnesses?

    Basic human rights would be life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

    You have no right to demand services provided by another individual.

    Are you saying there is no relationship between healthcare and life?

    Life - as in you have the unalienable right to live your life as you see fit - enjoy the rewards as well as suffer the consequences for your behavior. You have no right to demand services provided by another individual. That would be a clear infringement upon their unalienable rights.

    And yet csar is fine with everyone being entitled to the same level of fire or police services.....that's an exception to his 'you cannot demand services' mantra.

    In the US Supreme Court case Warren v. District of Columbia it was determined that police do not owe a specific duty to provide police services to citizens.

    So in the words of the government - it's nothing more than window dressing.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    edited June 2017
    Macy9336 wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Macy9336 wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    lorrpb wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    hesn92 wrote: »
    No. Everyone should be entitled to the same level of healthcare. I feel it's a basic human right. It's similar to charging people more who have a pre existing condition. What else, are we going to charge people more who have a genetic predisposition to certain Illnesses?

    Basic human rights would be life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

    You have no right to demand services provided by another individual.

    Are you saying there is no relationship between healthcare and life?

    Life - as in you have the unalienable right to live your life as you see fit - enjoy the rewards as well as suffer the consequences for your behavior. You have no right to demand services provided by another individual. That would be a clear infringement upon their unalienable rights.

    And yet csar is fine with everyone being entitled to the same level of fire or police services.....that's an exception to his 'you cannot demand services' mantra.

    Depends on the nation. In the US there is a clear distinction - one of the responsibilities of government is to provide security to the citizens. So in this case this supports and ensures that life, liberty and pursuit of happiness is achievable.

    Law enforcement is an inherent role of government. Healthcare is not.

    It's true it depends on the nation as different nations have different opinions on human rights and governmental roles. I for one think healthcare is necessary for both life and the pursuit of happiness and by providing the same level to all citizens, it is not unduly impeding the rights of other citizens.

    You have access to healthcare which cannot be denied. Hospitals are legally obligated to provide services to sustain life.

    The point you seem to be advancing is that one segment of the population wants the other segments of the population to pay for these services. Do those opposing paying have a say in this?
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Macy9336 wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    lorrpb wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    hesn92 wrote: »
    No. Everyone should be entitled to the same level of healthcare. I feel it's a basic human right. It's similar to charging people more who have a pre existing condition. What else, are we going to charge people more who have a genetic predisposition to certain Illnesses?

    Basic human rights would be life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

    You have no right to demand services provided by another individual.

    Are you saying there is no relationship between healthcare and life?

    Life - as in you have the unalienable right to live your life as you see fit - enjoy the rewards as well as suffer the consequences for your behavior. You have no right to demand services provided by another individual. That would be a clear infringement upon their unalienable rights.

    And yet csar is fine with everyone being entitled to the same level of fire or police services.....that's an exception to his 'you cannot demand services' mantra.

    In the US Supreme Court case Warren v. District of Columbia it was determined that police do not owe a specific duty to provide police services to citizens.

    So in the words of the government - it's nothing more than window dressing.

    On the other hand police can't legally go on strike, while people with just about any other job title have​ this right.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Macy9336 wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    lorrpb wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    hesn92 wrote: »
    No. Everyone should be entitled to the same level of healthcare. I feel it's a basic human right. It's similar to charging people more who have a pre existing condition. What else, are we going to charge people more who have a genetic predisposition to certain Illnesses?

    Basic human rights would be life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

    You have no right to demand services provided by another individual.

    Are you saying there is no relationship between healthcare and life?

    Life - as in you have the unalienable right to live your life as you see fit - enjoy the rewards as well as suffer the consequences for your behavior. You have no right to demand services provided by another individual. That would be a clear infringement upon their unalienable rights.

    And yet csar is fine with everyone being entitled to the same level of fire or police services.....that's an exception to his 'you cannot demand services' mantra.

    In the US Supreme Court case Warren v. District of Columbia it was determined that police do not owe a specific duty to provide police services to citizens.

    So in the words of the government - it's nothing more than window dressing.

    On the other hand police can't legally go on strike, while people with just about any other job title have​ this right.

    What are they striking from? They have no legal obligation to provide services.

    I say this as a veteran sworn officer. Note the vast majority of us take our oaths to protect and serve very seriously. It is the political class we are at constant odds with.
  • ciscoperator
    ciscoperator Posts: 2 Member
    I'd say no. Once you start down the path of limiting healthcare on being overweight, it can follow on to DNA testing for genetic disorders and being charged more for e.g. a great-aunt that developed glaucoma or had sickle-cell anaemia.
    We're better off keeping the simple system of universal healthcare where we pay the ~€100 per month with a deductible of €385 (though that keeps going up by around 15 euro each year), where the services of the healthcare provider are provided as part of the insurance (doctor, nurse, surgeon etc.) but the fees paid are for medicines and appliances. But I guess most answering your question aren't in The Netherlands.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Like soldiers, police have some obligation to provide services if they're not legally able to strike (refuse to perform services).
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    Like soldiers, police have some obligation to provide services if they're not legally able to strike (refuse to perform services).

    Per the Supreme court, the required service is to investigate crimes and conduct a best effort to ascertain who may have committed the crime.
  • DamieBird
    DamieBird Posts: 651 Member
    I'd say no. Once you start down the path of limiting healthcare on being overweight, it can follow on to DNA testing for genetic disorders and being charged more for e.g. a great-aunt that developed glaucoma or had sickle-cell anaemia.
    We're better off keeping the simple system of universal healthcare where we pay the ~€100 per month with a deductible of €385 (though that keeps going up by around 15 euro each year), where the services of the healthcare provider are provided as part of the insurance (doctor, nurse, surgeon etc.) but the fees paid are for medicines and appliances. But I guess most answering your question aren't in The Netherlands.

    Is that deducible a yearly one? That would come out to nearly $450 US which would be very tough for some people living near or below the poverty line - and tough for others if it's a per procedure kind of thing. In the Netherlands universal system, what happens if people cannot afford the monthly fee or deductible?
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    DamieBird wrote: »
    I'd say no. Once you start down the path of limiting healthcare on being overweight, it can follow on to DNA testing for genetic disorders and being charged more for e.g. a great-aunt that developed glaucoma or had sickle-cell anaemia.
    We're better off keeping the simple system of universal healthcare where we pay the ~€100 per month with a deductible of €385 (though that keeps going up by around 15 euro each year), where the services of the healthcare provider are provided as part of the insurance (doctor, nurse, surgeon etc.) but the fees paid are for medicines and appliances. But I guess most answering your question aren't in The Netherlands.

    Is that deducible a yearly one? That would come out to nearly $450 US which would be very tough for some people living near or below the poverty line - and tough for others if it's a per procedure kind of thing. In the Netherlands universal system, what happens if people cannot afford the monthly fee or deductible?

    Most people in the US with deductibles would LOVE it if their deductible was ONLY $450. It's well into the thousands for a lot of people here. (And that's also a pretty tiny premium, too. Wish I could get one that low.)
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    hesn92 wrote: »
    No. Everyone should be entitled to the same level of healthcare. I feel it's a basic human right. It's similar to charging people more who have a pre existing condition. What else, are we going to charge people more who have a genetic predisposition to certain Illnesses?

    Basic human rights would be life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

    You have no right to demand services provided by another individual.
    Wait, isn't that what insurance is though? If someone needed a car repair, they pay their deductible and the "pooled" money from everyone else pays the rest. How is that different than healthcare?

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png


    Are you forced to purchase insurance? Does the insurance company send over a law enforcement branch if you don't purchase their product?

    Apples and oranges. Insurance is a free market product.
    You are FORCED to get insurance if you WANT healthcare in the US. And if one doesn't get it and goes to the hospital for care because it's needed, it goes back to your "demand for services" that WILL be payed by your taxpayer money.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,341 Member
    edited June 2017
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    There is just ONE reason that healthcare is expensive in the US............................................profit. Until the US becomes a not for profit venture, health care costs for people are just going to keep rising. And really we could have a decent government healthcare system if we diverted money to it. Problem is, taxpayer money is diverted to other profit ventures that benefit people in politics more than it does the people themselves.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

    Every healthcare system is for profit. Are you suggesting that bureaucrats work for free?
    Socialized healthcare makes a profit? Military healthcare is for profit? Don't think so.
    You can never have decent healthcare without a motive of profit. This is the primary reason healthcare costs have risen beyond the rest of the consumer index - deliberate insertion of middlemen (government and insurance).
    Lots of countries don't have people pay insurance on healthcare and do just fine. Our own would be health care for the military. I grew up an Air Force brat and even today, my retired parents (both past 85 years old) get great healthcare at NO COST to them.
    If you allowed free market forces to compete then you would not have instances where Epipens rose to prohibitive prices. You would have competitive companies offering products at a reduced price to gain market share. Government is the problem, not the solution.
    Lol, wouldn't that be socialized medicine then? Affordability for ALL and not just the elite? And who's keeping big pharma and insurance companies happy? The people getting their palms greased by them. Health care shouldn't be for capital gain. I've personally worked in it and with people who suffer who busted their *kitten* working for decades only to use their retirement to pay for medical help not covered by insurance (mostly prescriptions drugs).

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png


    Edit: for context, I was responding to the bold, but it got hidden in the quote

    There's a huge difference between "for profit" and money generating. Of course the employees don't work for free in a not-for-profit health system. Payment of wages and expenses isn't profit - profit is whats leftover when you've paid wages and expenses.

    For profit systems are where the main driving force behind the entity is to make money over and above the cost of wages and expenses, in order to provide a return to shareholders/investors/owners.

    The US has one of the only "for profit" healthcare systems in the developed world. Places like Australia, for instance, invest all the money earned above and beyond the payment of wages and expenses back into the system.

    It doesn't mean it can't be rorted, and there haven't been instances where the wages being paid weren't exorbitant, but the main issue is whether they are setting out to generate a profit, which in the US they are, and most other places, they are not.
  • dybbukgirl
    dybbukgirl Posts: 16 Member
    Slippery slope IMHO.
    1st...smokers.
    2nd...obesity.
    next????
    Genetic predispositions based on DNA.
    What you ate for dinner.
    How much sleep you get.
    How fast you drive your car to work.
    What type of activities you do or don't participate in after work hours.

    Where does it stop?
    Corporations already have the power of PACs pushing corporate agendas.
    Do we really want to encourage them to take more power when it comes to how they price health insurance based on varying factors?

    "Careful what you wish, you may regret it. Careful what you wish, you just might get it"

    And of course it will all be in the name of "saving the company a few bucks" and "controlling skyrocketing insurance costs" which invariably get passed to you anyway. Yes...even the healthy "you" in the form of cost increases that outpace standard of living wage increases.

    This is what makes me worried, as I have 2 diseases that are potentially genetic. Studies are still being done on that, and right now there's only a correlation. I depend on certain medications that help me cope with those diseases. What happens to me when my premium goes up based on that? Nothing good. If I can't afford my meds, or can't afford my blood panels then I can't be treated at all. So what's the good of having insurance? Now extrapolate that from my relatively minor diseases to someone who has a severe disease that's genetically based. Possibly someone who is low income. What happens to them?

    Anyway, I don't recall ever having higher premiums when I was a smoker.

    Personally, I think hitting people in their pocketbook when it comes to obesity isn't a productive way about this. Poverty plays a huge role in obesity, so hitting people who are already down surely won't do much for them. If someone's premiums are so high, they can't actually afford to go see a doctor, what's the point? They should just suffer?

    Sounds too much like eugenics for me.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    hesn92 wrote: »
    No. Everyone should be entitled to the same level of healthcare. I feel it's a basic human right. It's similar to charging people more who have a pre existing condition. What else, are we going to charge people more who have a genetic predisposition to certain Illnesses?

    Basic human rights would be life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

    You have no right to demand services provided by another individual.
    Wait, isn't that what insurance is though? If someone needed a car repair, they pay their deductible and the "pooled" money from everyone else pays the rest. How is that different than healthcare?

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png


    Are you forced to purchase insurance? Does the insurance company send over a law enforcement branch if you don't purchase their product?

    Apples and oranges. Insurance is a free market product.
    You are FORCED to get insurance if you WANT healthcare in the US. And if one doesn't get it and goes to the hospital for care because it's needed, it goes back to your "demand for services" that WILL be payed by your taxpayer money.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

    We are now forced to purchase healthcare thanks to ACA - or pay the penalty. Of course paying the penalty is a much kinder option now that government involvement has demolished the market and any high cap policy options are gone.

    Nothing more terrifying than the words "We're from the government, we are here to help."