I knew the ACA was going to let insurance companies charge smokers more, but 50 percent more is outrageous. It basically means that most lower income smokers who aren't on company plans won't be insured. That certainly isn't going to save taxpayers money, because when they get sick, we'll still have to foot the bill.
So what happened to the "pre-existing conditions" concept? We're being very vindictive as a country if we send the message that we want everyone insured EXCEPT smokers.
http://bangordailynews.com/2013/02/18/health/big- … ref=latest
If the ACA itself is going to write large numbers of Americans out of the insurance loop, it's obviously going to fall WAY short of its goal of providing health insurance to all Americans.
Of course, we already know that there are some people (mainly working poor) who won't qualify for Medicaid and still won't be able to afford health insurance. This will just add to that number.
If smokers don't have insurance, the only people who are saving money are the insurance companies. Uncle Sam, and by extension, us, the taxpayers, are going to have to pick up the tab for their illnesses. Also, if they have no insurance, they're not seeing doctors to encourage them to quit or getting insurance help for smoking-cessation programs.
I'm sure there are some Americans who are hardhearted enough to say, well they smoked and they don't have insurance. It's their bed, let em lay dying in it. But I don't think the overwhelming majority of us are that cruel. (Although there are undoubtedly some states that would take that approach if it were their option alone.)
Even the American Cancer Society opposes this, saying "We're anti-smoking, not anti-smoker." This provision of the ACA is anti-smoker and pro-insurance company.
BTW, this isn't just a matter of paying a little more for health insurance. This is such a HUGE penalty -- 50 percent --- that the reality is that if it goes into effect, the vast majority of smokers who do not work for companies that offer group plans will not be able to get insurance. In effect, this provision writes a large number of Americans out of being able to get health insurance, which is actually contrary to what the ACA is supposed to be about.
Also, quitting alone may not be able to get you insurance. You can bet insurance companies will continue to define someone as a smoker until X amount of time has passed.
your argument is specious because on the one hand you're saying that these poor ole low income people won't be able to afford health care...even though they are and will be able to afford several packs of cigarettes a day.
the internet is a wonderful tool for information. look up the annual impact of smoking and obesity on the national healthcare cost.