[Don'tMessWithTexas]

I am not trying to equate these behaviors in any way, but should government health care programs (Medicare, Medicaid, VA, etc.)pay for the health care costs associated with smoking, IV-drug use and homosexuality?

Should non-smokers, tee-totalers, and faithful monogamous heterosexuals have to pay higher premiums to cover the heath care costs of skmokers, drunks and homosexual prostitutes?

[Just another Joe]

You may not be trying to but you ARE equating these behaviors.
I'm telling you, and will back it up with the studies if you so desire, that smokers pay in far more than they ever take out be it insurance premiums, taxes, SSI, medicare, or what have you.
If you believe that smokers are causing you to pay more for ANYTHING you are sadly mistaken.
Insurance companies may be taking the chance to make you pay more and blaming it on smokers but if you actually do the research you will find that is exactly what they are doing. They are taking your money under false premises.

As far as the others, IV drug use can be equated to smoking only in that it is a choice. If the government would make it legal, let insurance companies charge their higher premiums, and tax it, (the same way they do smokers) it might not be the same drain it is now.

As for homosexuality, I can't say as I've done very little research, except moral and biblical, to be able to say anything about the relative costs.

[SheLion]

The BIG LIE That Smoking is an Economic Burden To Society

[SheLion]

Should non-smokers, tee-totalers, and faithful monogamous heterosexuals have to pay higher premiums to cover the heath care costs of skmokers, drunks and homosexual prostitutes?

Why not??? The smokers can't carry the burden for EVERYthing! It is time for the rest of you to start carrying YOUR share.