Originally Posted By FaMulan but the second the Government attempts to tell people what they need to do in regards to their health, I can see people having problems with it....<< They already do. The Food Pyramid, the warnings on alcohol and cigarettes, laws meant to ensure safe driving, recommendations on fitness. I don't see people putting up a huge fuss about them. They just either listen to them and obey the laws or they don't.
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 but the second the Government attempts to tell people what they need to do in regards to their health, I can see people having problems with it....<< << I am talking about forcing people to make lifestyle choices such as making it illegal to eat at McDonalds more than twice a week or banning smoking, or limiting purchases of alcohol to 2 bottles a week.... There is a big difference between asking people to make changes and forcing them too, and there is a possibility, once the Government fully has control of the health care system, they can force people to make changes or they will lose coverage.... Not saying it is going to happen, but the possibility exists.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Indeed it might, but in socialised medicine countries it does not. In the UK, smoking is illegal indoors (like California did decades before the UK) and there is high tax on it. Alcohol has high tax. And they are wondering about a higher tax on junkfood (they are just finding it hard to decide where the watershed is). Seems fair to me.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Dave, does the additional taxing of these items (cigarettes and booze) seem to have any impact in the UK? Have you noticed less people smoking, say, than several years ago? Humans are funny people. It seems like, among younger people, smoking has made something of a comeback, becoming a little more especially acceptable than it was even a few years ago (that's based purely on anecdotal evidence, my own observations here in the Bay Area, no idea if it is actually on the upswing or not). There's something in people that seems to rebel against healthy advice, especially the more overbearing the advice becomes. Heck, even Mr. Obama, physically fit by all appearances, smokes.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Interesting question, with a mixed outcome. Smoking has definately decreased with about 20% of the number of smokers than 20 years ago. But drinking has increased, and is a real problem in the UK. But I doubt we will see prohibition. They are clamping down on some things though, like trying to ban $1.25 a drink nights and such.
Originally Posted By Altadisdude Some places have started already. My wife was rejected for the company insurance due to BMI and was forced to take the more expensive Oregon State Insurance Pool option. Most of the other employees were too if they had high BMI or any chronic disease(like diabetes), and she's a nurse. Many of the staff below her(CNA, CMA) simply couldn't afford the increased cost after being rejected by the company plan and go without. Healthcare workers with no healthcare.
Originally Posted By queenbee That is 100% legal. The private insurance company can refuse to insure you or set the premium so high, they know you can't possibly pay it. Private insurers prefer the young and healthy.
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 You would also have to factor in people who are overweight for reasons beyond their control. I know that medical issues are not even close to the leading cause of obeisity in this country but it is there. My best friend was about 100 pounds overweight. She ate healthy food and she started working out every day. No matter what she tried she could not lose weight. At the same time she was trying to have a baby and was not having any luck. SHe went to her doctor and they found she had a reproductive issue that also contributed to her weight. They gave her pills to correct the condition and she lost about 50 pounds in the first three months. I think it would be too difficult to charge more for obiesity.
