Free Republic

WASHINGTON (AP) — Some smokers trying to get coverage next year under President Barack Obama’s health care law may get a break from tobacco-use penalties that could have made their premiums unaffordable. The Obama administration — in yet another health care overhaul delay — has quietly notified insurers that a computer system glitch will limit penalties that the law says the companies may charge smokers. A fix will take at least a year to put in place.

FOX NEWS: The Department of Health and Human Services has issued regulations for the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare, which allow health insurance companies to raise premiums up to 50% for smokers and up to 30% for overweight individuals--unless they participate in "wellness programs" provided by HHS. Democratic lawmakers sold the controversial law to the public by claiming it would end discrimination by health insurers over pre-existing conditions and advanced age. The new regulations does allow for discrimination in these areas, including higher premiums for individuals with high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Jan. 1, 2014, will find the fat lady singing for my husband and me. That is when smokers will have to "cough up" extra money for their health insurance because of a provision of the Affordable Health Act. I am 60, which means that I will pay $5,000 extra. My husband at 54 will pay more than $4,000 extra each year. Mind you that this is on top of the insurance payments we already make.