[magellan]

"Sorry, we don`t have a policy four a family of four, non smokers, no serious health problems that would cost that much. Health care insurance goes nuts when you add the psychiatric coverage and full coverage dental."

This is what I figured. The union driven polices likely have all the bells and whistles. They probably have pretty good vision coverage as well.

However, most employer provided policies do not discriminate against smokers vs. non-smokers, and generally do not inquire on current health status. At least I have never been asked. The price is fixed for all people in the same coverage area. So non-smokers subsidize the smokers policies.

[La Enchiladita]

Here is more on the health insurance proposal and contains the answer I did not have: now we are both wiser!!!

[neverhillorat]

Group insurance has to take everybody in the group and charge everybody the same, smoker or overweight or diabetic or one time cancer patient

[muawiyah]

Naw, if it's an AFL-CIO negotiated health benefit deal the non-smokers will more than get even with the smokers once they retire.

The smokers will simply die sooner and leave the ranks of the insured base thereby reducing expected costs.