WASHINGTON — Millions of smokers could be priced out of health
insurance because of
tobacco penalties in President Barack Obama’s health care law, according to experts who are just now sharing the potential impact of a little-noted provision in the massive legislation.
The Affordable Care Act — “Obamacare” to its detractors — 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 additional cost could be nearly $4,250 a year. A 60-year-old could wind up paying nearly $5,100 on top of regular premiums.