Posted on 02/05/2006 3:53:28 PM PST by dware
(AP) DENVER With health costs rising, one state lawmaker thinks it's time to start discussing whether the state can afford to pay to treat smokers who get lung cancer, heart disease and other diseases linked to tobacco.
Sen. Ron Teck, R-Grand Junction, wants to put people who continue to smoke despite the health risks on notice. Under a proposal set to be reviewed Wednesday at the state Capitol, people who started smoking before 1975 would still be eligible for Medicaid payments to treat smoking-related illnesses.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbs4denver.com ...
Does this idiot realize that lung cancer isn't reserved for people who smoke?
Geesh!
Here's my thing. They institute the HMO Act, which favored a few corporations...years later they repeal it, but they still have many legislative favors for these few companies--prevent real competition. Then it's all blamed on the free-market, as though that's really the free-market.
Ultimately both parties are full of people that either like the status quo of half-ass control or there super crazy and want full control. So the handful of geniune (free-market) people are left with little or no support.
It's eventual that medicare will die. Medicaid is a separate issue in itself, and I think the state government can properly debate over this, but most likely won't agree over it. I adhor conservatives that think small government is good, but 'maybe medicine should be socialized'...that sort of thinking is absolutely silly. Let's just say I don't see that often, though.
Why is that?
None of you Senators drink, do you?
I agree with your comment, however the article was about state run Medicaid. People that can't afford health care shouldn't be smoking and expect the state (me) to pay for it when they get sick. The same goes other risky behaviors.
Wtach what happens if he tries to deny help for AIDS sufferers.
Like people who refuse to wear helmut when they ride bikes?
I think it may get to the point that if you choose to smoke, eat a lot and get fat, or catch AIDS through the choice of homosexual behavior, you may be expected to pay more for coverage. You might not be able to get coverage because of the great risk you could be.
You can either not go with coverage, pay through the nose for coverage or change your behavior and be covered at regular prices.
Make your choices and get the consequences of the good or bad choices.
You make an interesting point, but it's apples & oranges.
A better idea would be to charge extra for healthy people who smoke, or at least reduce the state medicare tax burden for non-smokers.
And as for illegal aliens, it's illegal, end of story. If they want to become citizens of the U.S., they should do it through legal means.
Good evening, ladies. Get a load of this article.
Insurance carriers already charge more for smokers
And if the government wants to do this .. they best tax more to fat people, gay people and folks who have a high ricks of any kind of cancer in their family
oh and the government already taxes the heck out of smokers
Where's the tax on fat people ???
"A better idea would be to charge extra for healthy people who smoke, or at least reduce the state medicare tax burden for non-smokers"
Make all those so called "smoker diseases" non eligable for coverage for everyone!
Solves the dicrimination problem and lowers public health care costs.
Better than that eliminate all public health care including Medicare that I was forced into 3 years ago.
Lord, save us from these dumb politicians. Exclude one group and you will end up having to exclude them all.
Say goodbye, Ron.
Someday it will happen to everyone. I haven't even scrolled through to read the comments. Medicare seems poised to act on all patients whom they deem incurable, or that ever popular PVS diagnosis.
At the same time, they will raise taxes on tobacco products, because they NEED smokers to continue smoking!
Double Jeopardy
will i be exempt if i gamble & smoke in atlantic city, nj...
Um...I think the states and feds would have to give up the TAXES they GET on tobacco, first.
then we should do the same with drinking, drug use, etc. Who is going to keep track of everybody.
added "puff list" to the key words.
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