Dumb Ways and Health Care costs

[dcara]

I read the earlier post titled "dumb" again and wondered how folks felt about health care costs being affected by others actions. I think this thread could easily be closed due to the strong feelings and opinions people have about health care. So I will ask that you limit your response to just answering the questions and refrain from commenting on what others say, or your opinions on the current or future health care programs.

1) Do you believe the cost of health insurance is significantly affected by smoking and obesity (and related disease)?
2) Do you consider both of these lifestyle choices and or lack of personal discipline?
3) What level of responsibility does society have to care for those who choose lifestyles that impact others?
4) To what extents should society go to change such adverse lifestyles of individuals.

 

[dun]

NO
Choices
None
None

 

[grannysoo]

NO
Choices
None
None

Same answers for me.

 

[Tommy Ruyle]

NO
Choices
None
None

Enough said!

 

[1982vett]

Ditto

 

[Ryder]

It aint none of the governments dam business.

 

[MO_cows]

1) NO The public has been sold a myth on that one. Back in the 50's and 60's everybody and their mother smoked but health care costs were less than they are today in relative terms. Obesity - the jury is still out. We've only recently had so many obese people, especially kids, and the long range impact is unknown. You start financially and socially discriminating against smokers and the overweight, where does it end? People who have a certain cancer or disease that runs in their family? People whose line of work exposes them to more health risks? It's a slippery slope.

2) Choices - that citizens of a supposedly free country should be free to make for themselves.

3) "Society" or in this case the government, should only take responsibility for those who cannot reasonably be expected to be responsible for themselves - the very young, the very old and mentally ill - who do not have any responsible family to see to their care.

4) "Society" needs to mind its own beeswax.

 

[HerefordSire]

1) NO The public has been sold a myth on that one. Back in the 50's and 60's everybody and their mother smoked but health care costs were less than they are today in relative terms. Obesity - the jury is still out. We've only recently had so many obese people, especially kids, and the long range impact is unknown. You start financially and socially discriminating against smokers and the overweight, where does it end? People who have a certain cancer or disease that runs in their family? People whose line of work exposes them to more health risks? It's a slippery slope.

2) Choices - that citizens of a supposedly free country should be free to make for themselves.

3) "Society" or in this case the government, should only take responsibility for those who cannot reasonably be expected to be responsible for themselves - the very young, the very old and mentally ill - who do not have any responsible family to see to their care.

4) "Society" needs to mind its own beeswax.

Very good post!

 

[alftn]

1 yes
2 yes both
3 some what due to the fact that the gov, controls and premotes tobacco... and allows food chains to adveritise to childern but not tell how sorry of food they are selling...
4 good health and fitiness needs to be taught in schools....
5 Obesity is the number one Killer today pass smoking and drinking,but the 3 together are deadly...
6 the gov. is in many ways is responsible for their lack of action...