Should Smokers and the Obese Be Taxed More?
SodaHead Politics
2011/05/31 13:00:00
|
|
|||||
|
126 votes
|
|
27% | |||
|
291 votes
|
|
62% | |||
|
51 votes
|
|
11% | |||
In order to continue funding its Medicaid program, Arizona is considering imposing a $50 fee on childless adults on Medicaid who are either obese or who smoke. Is this discrimination or a smart way to keep Medicaid alive?
The proposal, which would need federal approval, would not apply to the disabled, the elderly, pregnant women, children, or people with diseases like cancer. It would only impact "able-bodied people who have the capacity to manage their weight."
The issue is this: we can’t keep complaining about the rising cost of health care and not drill down to what that means on the individual level. Maricopa County [where Phoenix is located] has started a program among its employees where smokers have to pay $450 more for health insurance than nonsmokers. They take a swab to detect nicotine. The bottom line is that there’s plenty of evidence and studies that show there is an undeniable link between smoking and obesity and health care costs.
The proposal, which would need federal approval, would not apply to the disabled, the elderly, pregnant women, children, or people with diseases like cancer. It would only impact "able-bodied people who have the capacity to manage their weight."
Read More: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/us/31questions.h...
Top Opinion
-
MichaelJ 2011/05/31 08:29:41No
+15If they decided to do this, where does it end? I can imagine them taxing people for anything they decide to. An example any activity that can be shown to have a high number of injuries. Want to skate board? Pay the tax! Want to climb a mountain? Pay the tax! Want to bunji jump? pay the tax! When we decide to let others define what we should do and punish any behavior they don't like, there WILL be no end to the number of things they can decide THEY don't like.
If they want to smoke that bad, they should suffer the consequences.
Medicare and Medicaid are expected to be funded by the states. States are looking at ways to make the programs feasible, and why not upcharge those with the higher propensity for claims? Because it doesn't involve choice. The 'premiums' are funded via taxation. The obese and the smokers don't have a choice whether or not they choose to purchase the Medicaid or Medicare tax.
The problem doesn't necessarily lie with upcharging the greater risk folks because of their lifestyle choices, the problem lies in the basic nature of the entitlement program.
私はあなたがそうしたいのならと言う可能性があると...しか...
They could consider it an investment in keeping their best customers alive just a bit longer...