How far can the government go?

[bluecat]

Pima County Board of Supervisors delay vote to ban hiring smokers | KVOA.com | Tucson, Arizona

Passage:

"Pima County is considering putting an end to the hiring of not just smokers, but all nicotine users and charging current employees who do use 30 percent more on their insurance premiums."

In our day and age of non-discrimination and no profiling, it amazes me how the governments can get away with this. Even though the title states, "smokers" the passage states. "all nicotine users". How one group can be discriminated against and other life changing choices can't is beyond my comprehension.

I feel like I am living in dream world which is a nightmare of governments run amok.


I feel for any of you that live in Pima County.

 

[Circa Survivor]

That's pretty discriminatory. I don't see how the hell that could pass.

 

[Harlen]

They are setting themselves up for one heck of law suit.

 

[cllmda]

what about alcohol, is it ok to be an "alcohol-user" ?If their insurance co starts putting aside nicotine-users a whole lot of other " users" should be set apart too...(impossible) What if you eat lunch at McDonalds everyday ?That should take a few years off your life and your job performance-do they ask you THAT ?its just so silly and IN-appliccable !
Seems like they're specifically targeting and stigmatizing ecig users these days....

 

[JustMeB]

Here in PA, we are now charged a penalty (high premium) on insurance, if you're a smoker of cigarettes. That doesn't include ecigrettes and other NRT though. I do find it discrimination, as they are not charging obese or people who abuse other substances.

 

[stevegmu]

Group health plans can't charge extra for anything but tobacco product use which isn't an approved NRT product. They also don't charge more, those who are nic free get a discount. Legally, not getting a discount does not = a higher premium. Everyone in group plans pays the same; some just get discounts...
Those who are self insured sure do pay more for being overweight or having high cholesterol and blood pressure; their rates are generally based on a physical and blood work...

 

[Strings]

"How far can the government go?"

They will go as far as we let them. Kinda on line with the broken windows theory.

Ken at Popehat probably explains the whole idea better than I can: http://www.popehat.com/2014/12/04/broken-windows-and-broken-lives/

 

[noel18]

The oppressive government has been out of control for quite some time. Looks like the only way to turn things around would be a revolution of some sort. If this doesn't happen, the U.S. will be just like any other socialist third world country.

 

[bluecat]

Group health plans can't charge extra for anything but tobacco product use which isn't an approved NRT product. They also don't charge more, those who are nic free get a discount. Legally, not getting a discount does not = a higher premium. Everyone in group plans pays the same; some just get discounts...
Those who are self insured sure do pay more for being overweight or having high cholesterol and blood pressure; their rates are generally based on a physical and blood work...

As it was and currently with some exceptions. It is coming around that you will be charged more for smoking (whether than equates to vaping only the future will tell)

Look at the state exchanges.. they can charge up to 500 more for a smoker. Not a discount, a direct increase.

Sometimes I think Gruber is right. That is not directed at you... just in general.

 

[stevegmu]

As it was and currently with some exceptions. It is coming around that you will be charged more for smoking (whether than equates to vaping only the future will tell)

Look at the state exchanges.. they can charge up to 500 more for a smoker. Not a discount, a direct increase.

Sometimes I think Gruber is right. That is not directed at you... just in general.

I have a group plan through my employer. My employer pays 90% of the premium. Everyone is charges the same base rate; more with a spouse or children. We do have discounts, however. A certain amount for not smoking cigarettes, cigars or chewing tobacco and a healthy incentives credit for having our numbers checked through a blood test and filling out a health survey. I believe this structure is how most group plans work.

The exchanges are a different animal...

 

[Moedog]

Ha, really surprised that so many are shocked by this. I've been paying $50 more a month for health insurance for at least 10 years because I'm a "smoker." Lots of public and private organizations already refuse to hire anybody that has nicotine in their system, including vapers, and this has been approved by the courts. Maybe we should get off our asses and say hell no.

 

[Snugglepooter]

It seems that our government has forgotten a little moment in history call the "French Revolution."

You all remember - it's when the people of France rose up and CUT THE HEADS OFF OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAD LOST TOUCH WITH THEIR MANDATE.







Are ya listenin'?

 

[Oberon75]

Pima County Board of Supervisors delay vote to ban hiring smokers | KVOA.com | Tucson, Arizona

Passage:

"Pima County is considering putting an end to the hiring of not just smokers, but all nicotine users and charging current employees who do use 30 percent more on their insurance premiums."

In our day and age of non-discrimination and no profiling, it amazes me how the governments can get away with this. Even though the title states, "smokers" the passage states. "all nicotine users". How one group can be discriminated against and other life changing choices can't is beyond my comprehension.

I feel like I am living in dream world which is a nightmare of governments run amok.


I feel for any of you that live in Pima County.

Would this extend to Ketchup users too? Because we all know that Tomatos and many other veggies in fact contain nicotine.

 

[Sgt.Rock]

All goes back to that quote that goes something like this...

A Government powerful enough to give you everything you need is powerful enough to take everything you own... or something to that effect.

The problem is that low information voters have been for years voting for the government reps that will give them what they want instead of voting for the freedom to choose how to live.

 

[Snugglepooter]

III% for the win.

 

[JustMeB]

Group health plans can't charge extra for anything but tobacco product use which isn't an approved NRT product. They also don't charge more, those who are nic free get a discount. Legally, not getting a discount does not = a higher premium. Everyone in group plans pays the same; some just get discounts...
Those who are self insured sure do pay more for being overweight or having high cholesterol and blood pressure; their rates are generally based on a physical and blood work...

Actually no, the papers that were sent home with my husband from his employer stated, smokers will be charged an extra $150 a month for using tobacco products. It didn't say anything about if you don't you will be discounted, and since we are ecigarette users, we didn't/won't get charged. However, our premiums have not/will not decreased because of that. Nor have they decreased/were discounted for other co-workers that do not use tobacco.

 

[stevegmu]

Actually no, the papers that were sent home with my husband from his employer stated, smokers will be charged an extra $150 a month for using tobacco products. It didn't say anything about if you don't you will be discounted, and since we are ecigarette users, we didn't/won't get charged. However, our premiums have not/will not decreased because of that. Nor have they decreased/were discounted for other co-workers that do not use tobacco.

Maybe it is the company he works for, rather than the insurance company which is charging more...

 

[bluecat]

Would this extend to Ketchup users too? Because we all know that Tomatos and many other veggies in fact contain nicotine.

Interesting and had not thought of that.

 

[bluecat]

Maybe it is the company he works for, rather than the insurance company which is charging more...

Yeah health care is pretty screwed up at the moment. Sorry, health insurance. Unfortunately, the new law has nothing to do with healthcare and everything to do with the evil insurance companies.

They are no longer hiding the item is the fine print.

 

[Circa Survivor]

I was just surprised at the not hiring of smokers, not so much the insurance part.