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jiggy0 
LSU Fan
Lafayette
Member since Nov 2012
156 posts
| re: New penalty for smokers in Obamacare... (Posted on 1/28/13 at 3:23 pm to Radiojones)
What's sad is that one of the stated reasons for Obamacare is that insurance companies either deny coverage or charge unaffordable rates for high risk applicants. Yet it immediately allows huge increases through penalties on a segment of the population that is already charged higher rates than average. They didn't alleviate higher premiums for smokers at all. They actually made it cost prohibitive for them.
And yes, believe me, they will use these penalties as a punishment for behaviors they see as unacceptable. And there will be certain behaviors that will not be surcharged at all as they may be medically risky but politically incorrect to force a penalty.
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WildTchoupitoulas
Member since Jan 2010
11072 posts
| re: New penalty for smokers in Obamacare... (Posted on 1/28/13 at 3:28 pm to Radiojones)
quote:
Not a bad idea at all but I think we have done this before haven't we?
Yeah, but who knows where the money's actually going. We need to square that away, and then maybe raise it.
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Radiojones
LSU Fan
Dutchtown, LA
Member since Feb 2007
4482 posts
| re: New penalty for smokers in Obamacare... (Posted on 1/28/13 at 3:29 pm to jiggy0)
Jiggy swings and hits a home run!
Can you imagine all of the things they could charge more for? The possibilities are endless.
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WildTchoupitoulas
Member since Jan 2010
11072 posts
| re: New penalty for smokers in Obamacare... (Posted on 1/28/13 at 3:31 pm to Radiojones)
quote:
Can you imagine all of the things they could charge more for? The possibilities are endless.
I thought that was the whole purpose of forming a group, to balance out risk.
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junkfunky
LSU Fan
I can't find my village
Member since Jan 2011
10152 posts
 Online
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quote:
I don't know why you are so upset that I don't care if smokers have to pay more. The guy I responded to was talking about sex, alcohol, marriage, etc. Maybe you should just quit smoking if you can't afford it?
Upset? How narcissistically cute of you.
So, you think smokers should have to pay their fair share but the public is responsible for fatties?
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onmymedicalgrind
LSU Fan
Atlanta
Member since Dec 2012
1505 posts
| re: New penalty for smokers in Obamacare... (Posted on 1/28/13 at 3:32 pm to jiggy0)
quote:
What's sad is that one of the stated reasons for Obamacare is that insurance companies either deny coverage or charge unaffordable rates for high risk applicants. Yet it immediately allows huge increases through penalties on a segment of the population that is already charged higher rates than average. They didn't alleviate higher premiums for smokers at all. They actually made it cost prohibitive for them. And yes, believe me, they will use these penalties as a punishment for behaviors they see as unacceptable. And there will be certain behaviors that will not be surcharged at all as they may be medically risky but politically incorrect to force a penalty.
True, but don't you think there is a difference between a high risk applicant due to a congenital disorder (pre-existing condition) vs someone who is high risk bc they have a 40 pack-year history?
I have no problem using premiums to disincentivize smoking. And my father used to smoke for decades. Just stopped about 5 years ago, thanks to my mother.
This post was edited on 1/28 at 3:34 pm
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Radiojones
LSU Fan
Dutchtown, LA
Member since Feb 2007
4482 posts
| re: New penalty for smokers in Obamacare... (Posted on 1/28/13 at 3:35 pm to WildTchoupitoulas)
quote:
I thought that was the whole purpose of forming a group, to balance out risk.
As did I but they are already singling out smokers and I have heard rumblings about overweight people. My point is that once we start down this path where does it end and more importantly who collects the information and how is it stored.
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junkfunky
LSU Fan
I can't find my village
Member since Jan 2011
10152 posts
Online
| re: New penalty for smokers in Obamacare... (Posted on 1/28/13 at 3:37 pm to onmymedicalgrind)
quote:
I have no problem using premiums to disincentivize smoking.
We've been doing that and the numbers have plateaued. However, no politician wants to really address the elephant in the room (pun intended).
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WildTchoupitoulas
Member since Jan 2010
11072 posts
| re: New penalty for smokers in Obamacare... (Posted on 1/28/13 at 3:38 pm to Radiojones)
quote:
more importantly who collects the information and how is it stored.
This.
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Champagne 
New Orleans Saints Fan
French and Spanish Empire Border
Member since Oct 2007
8074 posts
Online
| re: New penalty for smokers in Obamacare... (Posted on 1/28/13 at 3:52 pm to Radiojones)
quote:
I know this is extreme but where does it stop? Who gets what data about you and you gets trusted with it?
Where does it stop? It will never stop.
Who gets the data? FedGov, and, eventually, FedGov will need as much info about our personal habits as possible in order to serve the common good.
I would like to see cigarette smokers denied medical care. FedGov, eventually, could make that happen.
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Radiojones
LSU Fan
Dutchtown, LA
Member since Feb 2007
4482 posts
| re: New penalty for smokers in Obamacare... (Posted on 1/28/13 at 4:20 pm to Champagne)
quote:
I would like to see cigarette smokers denied medical care. FedGov, eventually, could make that happen.
What about people that drink caffein or alcohol? What about people that eat too much fat...or not enough fat in their diets? What about people that speed in their cars or that climb a ladder more than 2 feet tall? These are all dangerous behaviors, why not refuse health care for all of these?
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Taxing Authority
LSU Fan
Houston
Member since Feb 2010
16871 posts
| re: New penalty for smokers in Obamacare... (Posted on 1/28/13 at 5:37 pm to jiggy0)
quote:
My question: is an employer responsible for paying this?
You dont' expect the smokers to pay for do you?
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lsusaintsfan4life
LSU Fan
Member since Mar 2008
718 posts
| re: New penalty for smokers in Obamacare... (Posted on 1/28/13 at 8:36 pm to jiggy0)
As a physician, I am concerned that this will ultimately lead to less care for my patients. As it stands, there is a doctor-patient relationship in which your information is protected.
Now that the government has begun monitoring our records more, it can be used against you. Patients will no longer be honest. We implemented our new EMR 6 months ago. I have had patients go off record about issues (lawyers). Get ready for the Government to decide your health care decisions. Scary.
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