As I read my own post, I think about health insurance. Is the day coming when what we pay is determined by "predictive models" of our health risk? Will morbidly obese smokers be required to pay more? Will thin marathon runners pay the minimum rates?
Just questions I'm throwing out there.
Marathon runners have a higher risk of bone/joint damage. Where does it end?
Auto, health and life insurance already disrciminate against smokers -- they al have "smoker" and "non-smoker" rates. Not something never-smokers would notice, but us ex-smokers notice it A LOT.
5 years since I quit -- 2nd smartest thing I ever did.
People who pay for their insurance independently are certainly judged based on actuarial criteria like the type you mention. People who buy their health insurance through their employer are somewhat insulated because their rates are negotiated by their employers and (depending on the size of the company) partially subsidized by their employer as well.
Just questions I'm throwing out there.
I suspect that what will happen is that predictive models will rule when they subsidize politically acceptable groups, and punish politically unacceptable groups. Thus, assuming current political trends continue, smokers get nailed on rates, whereas promiscous homosexuals (who we will say face much greater health risks) will not.
What I would LIKE to happen is allowing insurers to set whatever rates they want, for whatever reasons they want. As private institutions, they should have that right. If you don't like their rates, go to someone more agreeable, or start your own company. No one should be able to use force to arrange favorable contractual terms against the other party's wishes.
I'm not saying that out of self interest. Under our current state-regulated system, I still end up getting punished for belonging to certain groups. In the free-for-all I advocate, I'd probably end up paying even more.
Don't know about health insurance, but those folks definitely pay more for life insurance (and should IMHO). Why should someone who exercises, eats a decent diet, non-smoker, and of average weight pay the same as someone who weighs 400 pounds, smokes 2 packs a day, and for the most part moves only far enough to grab the TV remote?
That does not make them any less worthy as a person, but actuarially, high risk.