[quote=equalizer][quote=GH]Or a brown TAX OR a black tax or an old tax or a young tax. No doubt there are a lot or contributing factors to health care costs. Apparently blacks are more likely to get sickle cell anemia. That ALONE justifies a higher premium right?[/quote]
For now companies are targeting “recreational” behavior, not genetic markers that could be interpreted as a (disgraced) William Shockley experiment to weed out dysgenic effects among certain populations.[/quote]

I knew this argument (eugenics) would pop up almost immediately. Good response, since its specious and has really nothing to do with your point.

I think if this is approached as a truly “dollars and cents” type issue, then you can make a strong case for it. Personally, I think its patently unfair for those who engage in healthy behavior to carry the costs for those who do not.

Kind of like bailing out all those dipshits who apparently weren’t capable of even basic math and bought homes they didn’t have a hope of affording.

We need to incentivize people to develop healthy habits. I would like to see substantial cash rebates ($2,000 or more each year) to people who use very little health insurance.

People would scrutinize their medical bills more; and they would be more mindful of not using medical services frivolously.

[quote=DataAgent]How about a gay tax? If you go straight you get a rebate![/quote]

I don’t get it.

I’m talking about insurance companies paying out rebates to insured who use very little medical services.

If an insurance company is earning $10,000 from an insured per year, and that customer never goes to the doctor, then a $2,000 spiff seems quite reasonable to me.

Are you saying straights are healthier than gays?

[quote=GH]Or a brown TAX OR a black tax or an old tax or a young tax. [/quote]

There is already a significant difference in the rates paid by young vs old. So, half of your statement is already there.

Something I have never understood and maybe somebody here could help me understand. Why isn’t health insurance treated more like car or home insurance? I understand that I have to do the basic maintenance and it is up to me to take care of it. I have insurance (and deductable) in the “unlikely” event I need it. If I do get in some type of issue I would then need to consider whether it is worth the deductable and potential increase in my insurance or if I should just cover it and move on.

Incentives for currently having healthy habits and lifestyle would get my vote! I used to work for a company that would give staff $200 to quit smoking, I said prove I never smoked, cause now I stopped and I want $200…..they refused. How come that is not discrimination against me, the non-smoker? Plus smokers take breaks all day long to smoke, plus take a lunch break. I go for a run at lunch (instead of lunch) sometimes 1 hour sometimes longer and those smokers say stuff to me about abusing the system. grr, give me a rebate calculated on my BMI!

Treehugger, I understand your frustration.

I think our society coddles the majority. When the majority of people are fat-asses we all pay for their irresponsible behavior. Same thing goes in the real estate businesses.

I believe social attitude must change. As a society, we look down upon those are not educationally or financially responsible. There should be similar stigma against unhealthy behavior.