Should obese people pay more for health care?

Question

If a person doesn't take care of thier car and it goes to crap, they would bear the brunt of the bill if something goes wrong. Should not then the same be applied to a person that doesn't take care of their body?

ed201283, it saddens me that you got points for that tidbit

okay, if fat people need more help "Bubbles", similar to Omni D input, because obviouly smokers eventually need "more help", How about chargeing them more at first (like car insurance) then less and less the more weight they lose. Also like car insurance in that if you do good you pay less and if you get into an accident you keep paying more?

okay okay, we all have to agree that MOST people are obese because they are lazy and THEN there is a percentage where by they are obese becase of some disorder or limitation...right?

Answer 1

In some places, people ARE charged more for their health insurance if they have unhealthy habits. For example, some workplaces now offer lower health insurance rates to employees who join a gym or quit smoking. Employees who are unwilling to take these steps to improve their health pay a higher price for their insurance.

That said, you're making the assumption here that obese people are all less healthy than skinny people, and that's not an assumption you can back up with data. A skinny person can be just as unhealthy, or even MORE unhealthy, than a fat person. It depends on what they eat, what their genetic make-up is, whether or not they exercise, whether they drink alcohol, whether they do drugs, whether they have a support system (family, friends), whether they get regular medical exams, etc. etc. etc.

Your car analogy works better if you apply it to auto insurance rather than auto repair. If you can prove that you are a safe driver who takes care when behind the wheel, you usually get a lower insurance rate for your car. Likewise, it may make sense to reward people with lower health insurance rates if they can demonstrate that they have taken some simple steps to try to stay healthy (like going to a gym regularly or quitting smoking). But you can't make blanket assumptions about health based on appearances (fat vs. thin, e.g.).

Answer 2

I don't agree with this however you need help with the pros so this will be your position; If your driving a car and your because of inexperience your paying a higher rate= more car accident etc. When your obese your at a higher rate for =heart attacks diabettes etc. Insurance companies are in the business to make money! They are not going to take a loss. If they did they would go belly up. So all these people who are just time bombs ready to go off health wise. There will be increasing the cost of insurance across the board. Also the a comparation to fine the rate of health insurance going up to the obesity rate going up. If they say will that means people with cancer etc should have their rates go up too. That's why you need to come back with people with cancer didn't eat the cancer knowing it might give them cancer. I hope this helps ! I don't agree with it! But it's the only I can thing of on the side you need to be on. Remember to check to see the rate of obesity compare it to the rate of healthcare going up. Go back five years on both counts

Answer 3

No, such a system is impossible (if fairness is a prerequisite to the system). Obesity can be caused by a number of factors including, but not limited to, genetics and a hormonal/metabolic disorder (such as Cushing's Syndrome). There is a wide range of variables to take into consideration when deciphering whether or not a person's weight gain is entirely their fault and even more consideration into creating a system that is fair and equal for all individuals.

Answer 4

Absolutely not. Obese people need MORE health care to help them get healthy, while those of us who are don't need the extra medical attention. And obesity isnot always entirely the fault of the obese person. Some people have medical conditions, such as an underactive thyroid, that cause them to be overweight. It would be absurd to charge these people extra for a condition that is not their fault. We should not punish people for being obese by making them pay more for health insurance- instead we should invest in educating them and help them to get to a more healthy weight. In addition, this would oly make them feel less accepted by society. Contrary to what some people believe, unkindness is never motivating. All it does is make you feel bad about yourself, which, by the way, is one of the reasons some people overeat.

Answer 5

I think it would help if unhealthy foods cost more than healthy ones. It doesn't help when apples can be 1.99/lb, strawberries 2.50 for a lb. It's just horrendous. Same like the healthier cuts of meat, cost a lot more than the unhealthy fatty ones. On the same token, I think that exercise programs and such should be tax free.

But on the same token, healthy people live more, so the cost of health care evens out eventually. ::shrugs::

Answer 6

No. Fast food outlets should not be allowed such a strong presence near schools and junk food should be banned from the education system, except for occasional splurges. Gym should be mandatory and supplementary exercise programs should be introduced for overweight teenagers. It is not going to kill anyone to walk an extra forty-five minutes a day.

Answer 7

Well you have to consider that many times obesity is genetic, and its not thier entire fault. Plus, that would be morally wrong.

I like obese people. They add to the mix. Just think of what a boring world it would be and how "un special" people with hot bodies would be if every one was fit.

Answer 8

its a disease believe it or not so no. sometimes people just cant help it secondary to disease like thyroid problems or mental problems:just urges to eat. no ones saying we should charge anorexics, smokers, or drug abusers more. the guy with 50 tattoos that has hepatitis we shouldn't cahrge him more. the girl that has acne vulgaris shouldn't be charged more. even the grandma with diabetes that likes to make pies shouldn't be charged more.

trust me people that weigh 700lbs don't want to weigh 700lbs.

btw im 5'8" i weigh 230lbs, in most estimations im obese, but in fact i gotta lotta muscle. as are most people that play hockey defense.

Answer 9

I'd say give tax deduction for losing weight. Most of the tax dollars are wasted on ppl with health problems such as diabetes.

Answer 10

Obesity is the largest single cause of death. More than alcoholism, drug abuse, and smoking combined.