As I commented on Facebook: This is an example of the Robbin' Hood approach: Steal from the poor and give to the rich.
I kid you not
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Yeah, it looks like he got a 5yo to put it together in Word
If I was that bad at web design, i'd kill myself.
- Apr 2, 2009
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The issue of risk rating for insurance coverage has ZERO relationship with electronic cigarettes, so it really doesn't belong on this forum.
But since the issue has been raised, I think it critically important to point out that for many decades virtually all life insurance companies have charged higher premiums for cigarette smokers (than for nonsmokers) because smokers are more likely to die sooner than nonsmokers.
Similarly, at least here in the US, many healthcare insurance companies charge higher premiums for smokers (than for nonsmokers) for individual insurance policies (for similar actuarial reasons as life insurers have done), which is commonly referred to as "risk rating". That's the way insurers also determine premiums for homeowners, automobile and other types of insurance, which is why a driver with multiple car accidents pays higher auto insurance premiums than a driver with no car accidents, and why homeowners who have filed multiple claims usually pay higher homeowners' insurance premiums than those who have never filed a claim.
But since the vast majority of health insurance in the US is purchased/provided by employers, insurance companies and employers have traditionally "community rated" these policies (i.e. similar fee for everyone regardless of risks).
While the new healthcare insurance reform legislation in the US continues to allow healthcare insurers to charge higher healthcare insurance premiums for smokers, they are unlikely to do so via employer provided healthcare insurance because the vast majority of employers have decided not to do so.
But since the issue has been raised, I think it critically important to point out that for many decades virtually all life insurance companies have charged higher premiums for cigarette smokers (than for nonsmokers) because smokers are more likely to die sooner than nonsmokers.
Similarly, at least here in the US, many healthcare insurance companies charge higher premiums for smokers (than for nonsmokers) for individual insurance policies (for similar actuarial reasons as life insurers have done), which is commonly referred to as "risk rating". That's the way insurers also determine premiums for homeowners, automobile and other types of insurance, which is why a driver with multiple car accidents pays higher auto insurance premiums than a driver with no car accidents, and why homeowners who have filed multiple claims usually pay higher homeowners' insurance premiums than those who have never filed a claim.
But since the vast majority of health insurance in the US is purchased/provided by employers, insurance companies and employers have traditionally "community rated" these policies (i.e. similar fee for everyone regardless of risks).
While the new healthcare insurance reform legislation in the US continues to allow healthcare insurers to charge higher healthcare insurance premiums for smokers, they are unlikely to do so via employer provided healthcare insurance because the vast majority of employers have decided not to do so.
Bill, I don't think the issue here is higher rates for smokers so much as it is that he dilberately brought socioeconomic class into this. He said that any attempts to charge more were ok, because poor people have no representation. He's disgusting.
And btw, just because it involves smokers and not vapers directly doesn't mean that it has nothing to do with this board. We were all smokers for many years and still sympathize with the issues. Not to mention that just because he SAYS cigarette smokers, it doesn't necessarily exclude nicotine users, who are as much on his (and other alphabet groups') radar screen as regular smokers.
And btw, just because it involves smokers and not vapers directly doesn't mean that it has nothing to do with this board. We were all smokers for many years and still sympathize with the issues. Not to mention that just because he SAYS cigarette smokers, it doesn't necessarily exclude nicotine users, who are as much on his (and other alphabet groups') radar screen as regular smokers.
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