Posted on 01/24/2013 11:25:58 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Millions of smokers could be priced out of health insurance because of tobacco penalties in President Obama’s health-care law, according to experts who are teasing out the potential impact of a little-noted provision in the massive legislation.
The Affordable Care Act — or “Obamacare” — allows health insurers to charge smokers buying individual policies up to 50 percent higher premiums starting next Jan. 1.
For a 55-year-old smoker, the penalty could reach nearly $4,250 a year...
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.com ...
Who do you think the "uninsurable" people were that Obamacare was written for?
To provide balance, none of the smokers I know voted for Obama. None. They already know the heavy hand of government. BTW, it likely won't just be smokers. When I quit smoking, I started using smokeless tobacco. The insurance company changed the criteria from 'smoker' to "tobacco user" the same year, and you had to have been quit for a year for that not to apply.
I work on oil drilling locations, I have been a fireman and EMS, and live in an area where the weather can kill you, and all the most anally fixated can have fits about are cigarettes and other forms of tobacco.
Cigarette smokers are the new n______, but they aren't even allowed to ride on the back of the bus, while pot is being legalized. huh?
I howled with laughter when New York City boasted its first 'smoke free' business, simply because the air there is like smoking a couple packs a day compared to where I have lived.
This crap isn't science, it is a jihad--and an excuse to tax the pi$$ out of the minority embraced by the majority.
To all who have supported the antitobacco crap, your day is coming, if it isn't here already, and you set the precedents.
Or being a homosexual...
OBAMACARE: Smokers? NO! But anal sex between men with multiplier male partners? NO PROBLEM!!
Yeah but they do not tax the second, the way they tax the first.
Wait until the intended consequence of lost tobacco taxes hits states and communities. They will need to raise taxes on something else to make up the difference.
The hypocrisy is obvious. You have to remember that libs think anal sex is awesome and healthy. Throw in some meth, and you’re even more awesome.
The hypocrisy is obvious. You have to remember that libs think anal sex is awesome and healthy. Throw in some meth, and you’re even more awesome.
It's already here Joe, the new tobacco product is called "assault weapon"........LOL!
I’m sure they will soon expand this to those who inhale vapors from firearms.
I’m a smoker and I know other smokers that did not vote for Obama, way to generalize there.
Will there be a penalty for those who attract flies?
agree with what you wrote!
Smoker myself, evil me.
If I understand correctly, the government is only putting an upper limit on how much more insurance companies can charge. I’d have the government out of it and let insurance companies charge whatever they want. If they want to charge more because the costs are so much more, then fine. If they don’t, because they want to attract the large smoker market, then that’s fine too.
But surely risk-based pricing is central to any genuine ‘insurance’ market.
The anti-smoking crowd plays right into Obama’s hands..and you’re right, something in this monstrous thing will get everyone in one way or another.
Evil smoker here.
So I take it you’re a smoker and you don’t want insurance companies to be free to charge you the actual cost of your healthcare coverage. You’re the one who wants government intervention and freebies, I gather.
Culling the herd.
On the other hand, are there any discounts for being healthy and NOT burdening the system?
Aw, forget the paying up part. Just shut up.
“Starting next Jan. 1, the federal health-care law will make it possible for people who can’t get coverage now to buy private policies, providing tax credits to keep the premiums affordable”
Can’t wait to hear the mindless sheeple say “BUT WHAT DO I DO UNTIL I FILE FOR THE ‘TAX CREDIT’???
heck, to obamas panels, premature death is welcome for MEDICARE recipients
Just take up smoking after you hit 65 and die sooner but calmer
Who was the 'Affordable Health Care Act' supposed to help again?
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