New Poll: Smokers and Obese Should Pay More for Health Insurance

In a new poll just released by the journal Health Affairs, the majority of Americans believed that smokers should pay more for their health insurance. The survey also indicates that many Americans also think the obese should pay more. The poll reflects a new awareness of the changes in the health insurance industry that seem to be moving towards a more consumer driven model. And healthy consumers who want to get the best price on affordable health insurance are tired of paying for people that are in poor health because of bad health habits.

The poll of 1500 Americans conducted soon after the Democrats took the House and the Senate in the recent election, found that close to 80% of those asked felt that the current health care system, especially as it relates to affordable medical coverage needs reform. The survey also found that 60% of those polled felt that smokers should pay more for heath insurance, and a lesser degree about 30%, also felt the obese should have to pay higher health insurance premiums. Consumers many of whom find themselves now becoming personally responsible for their own health insurance due to cut backs in employer based medical benefits, also feel that people need to take personal responsibility for their health. Those that abuse their health should pay for it. Smokers in general do pay more for individual health insurance. People who are obese technically do not pay more specifically for being overweight, but the conditions that often accompany being morbidly obese, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, can result in higher health insurance premiums or denial of coverage all together. Currently, depending on the state where you live, people who do not smoke and are in relatively good health can benefit from a newly competitive market for affordable individual health insurance. You can get a free quote for affordable medical coverage online. Bottom line experts agree that if you want to find low-cost health insurance, or reduce the costs of healthcare in general, quit smoking and lose weight. About 20% of large corporations are now giving discounts on health insurance and medical benefits to employees who do not smoke.

The survey also found that Americans in general favor some type of universal affordable health insurance, but remain somewhat unsure as to what the role of the government should be in such a single payer system. Almost simultaneous to this study in a surprise move, the insurance industry through its trade group American Health Insurance Plans put forth a plan for sweeping reform to congress that closely resembles universal coverage. In the Health Affairs study almost two-thirds said they would be in favor of universal affordable health insurance, but 55% said that the Governments role should be limited to making sure the poor can gain access to it. Those polled split very closely on the question of mandatory health insurance with 52% in favor and 48% responding it should be an individual's choice.

Clearly we are at a crossroads on healthcare policy but it seems like for the first time in decades, consumers, employers, the health insurance industry, and the Government are interested in working together to provide affordable health insurance for all Americans.