Smoking, being overweight to increase health premiums

[JUNewsBot]

JUNewsBot Has Just Posted the Following:

Being overweight will not only affect the waistline next year, but also the wallet. The same applies to people who smoke or have other bad habits.

Click here to view the article. (http://www.japanupdate.com/?id=7767)

Feel free to hold a discussion regarding this article here.

[TheNoNamedOne]

Great news to hear this! I've always wanted overweight people and smokers to contribute more from their wallet to the national health care system here, since they are the ones requiring most treatment for illnesses. Hopefully that will help stay off across the board increases for those of us who put effort into trying to remain healthy.

I believe in both reward and punishment to cause affect in behaviour. It won't be long that those who are flesh eaters will be paying more for private insurance than vegetarians. It has already begun in Europe with one insurance company getting the ball rolling. Until that spreads, which it will take a while longer, I am slightly satisfied with the first steps as listed in the JUbot news.

[P_chan]

I don't think that they will increase people who eat meat premiums. Maybe a select few providers but not across the board. Vegetarians don't like to be singled out because of their diet so why should it happen to me? Especially since you can live a healthy life eating meat if you have a balanced diet. Not to mention that not everyone wants to be a vegetarian.

What about those vegetarians who don't have a balanced diet? Like the one's who kill their child because the are dumb, self-righteous, pompous herbivores and love to push their lifestyle on others? Should their premiums be increased because of the people who make that mistake?

[TheNoNamedOne]

P_chan, I thought you would catch up and answer my questions, comments to you on the vegetarian thread first, before commenting on it in another thread.

But as for your reply to me above, you are right -- meat eaters will probably not see a rise in their premiums. The difference in rates will probably be borne out of a decrease in rates for vegetarians (which a company in Europe has already begun and other companies are keeping an eye on that to see if it pays off). Either way you look at it, an increase (a penalty) or a decrease (a reward), flesh eaters will be paying more differentially.

Capitalism, not vegetarians, will make the decision. If the profits are there, insurance companies and their employees will shelve any prejudices about prejudices about their personal fondness for meat, and instead will choose profits. Their shareholders will demand nothing less. Profit is king for investors.

[DoctorP]

Why would they reduce your premiums? They already have you paying them now...profit is king for investors right?

[P_chan]

sorry I've been busy the past couple days and haven't been in the other thread.

Besides I already stated my feelings on that subject and I know reiterating my point won't change your mind, just like your mewling won't change mine.

[DoctorP]

sorry I've been busy the past couple days and haven't been in the other thread.

Besides I already stated my feelings on that subject and I know reiterating my point won't change your mind, just like your mewling won't change mine.

Just give him his own standard reply "I'm a busy man, and will get to your post when time permits...blah, blah, blah" :D

[TheNoNamedOne]

Besides I already stated my feelings on that subject and I know reiterating my point won't change your mind, just like your mewling won't change mine.

I think my questions and comments to you in that thread would point something out in your answer. I don't mind you being busy and not being able to get back to it because of that. Happens to all of us. Just I find it strange that you are going to begin talking against vegetarianism in one thread where you have left points about it hanging in another thread.

Discussions are not always for the benefit of changing the minds of those participating in the discussion.