Mr. H.
Diamond Member
I recently attended an informational meeting on the ACA, and everything was presented like it was roses and chocolates. Except for one key word- tobacco.
No "pre-existing conditions" to worry about. No one can be denied.
But tobacco usage is the Red Flag here... the only Red Flag.
WASHINGTON Smokers and chewers in some states may have to pay as much as 50% more in premiums than non-smokers if they sign up for insurance through state health exchanges that open next month, according to provisions in the Affordable Care Act.
Health law smoking penalties could hit poor the hardest
So why isn't tobacco use considered a pre-existing condition?
Opponents of the rule argue that smoking is an addiction that can't be ended through punishment and that smokers need insurance because of their health issues. Also, they say, there is no proof that higher costs for insurance cause smokers to quit.
Ahhh... but if you use tobacco AND have a chronic condition, you may come out on the better end of the deal -
...smokers with chronic conditions will at least save money because they won't have to pay higher premiums for having health problems even if they have to pay a penalty for using tobacco.
Evidently, low-income communities will be paying much higher premiums...
"Tobacco disproportionately targets low-income communities,..."
And even the American Lung Association has serious concerns...
The American Lung Association also opposes tobacco surcharges, said Jennifer Singleterry, the group's manager of lung health policy. "We believe smokers should be helped to quit, but not punished for not doing so," she said.
The surcharge could cost people hundreds or even thousands of dollars more, depending on a person's policy and if they are already being charged more for age, she said.
SO... here we have a pre-existing condition that is denied under the ACA and primarily targets the poor.
The Semi-Negro In Chief.
Gotta love that little nappy headed boy.
No "pre-existing conditions" to worry about. No one can be denied.
But tobacco usage is the Red Flag here... the only Red Flag.
WASHINGTON Smokers and chewers in some states may have to pay as much as 50% more in premiums than non-smokers if they sign up for insurance through state health exchanges that open next month, according to provisions in the Affordable Care Act.
Health law smoking penalties could hit poor the hardest
So why isn't tobacco use considered a pre-existing condition?
Opponents of the rule argue that smoking is an addiction that can't be ended through punishment and that smokers need insurance because of their health issues. Also, they say, there is no proof that higher costs for insurance cause smokers to quit.
Ahhh... but if you use tobacco AND have a chronic condition, you may come out on the better end of the deal -
...smokers with chronic conditions will at least save money because they won't have to pay higher premiums for having health problems even if they have to pay a penalty for using tobacco.
Evidently, low-income communities will be paying much higher premiums...
"Tobacco disproportionately targets low-income communities,..."
And even the American Lung Association has serious concerns...
The American Lung Association also opposes tobacco surcharges, said Jennifer Singleterry, the group's manager of lung health policy. "We believe smokers should be helped to quit, but not punished for not doing so," she said.
The surcharge could cost people hundreds or even thousands of dollars more, depending on a person's policy and if they are already being charged more for age, she said.
SO... here we have a pre-existing condition that is denied under the ACA and primarily targets the poor.
The Semi-Negro In Chief.
Gotta love that little nappy headed boy.