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 ...
You're so.......reserved
55 years here and same thing ----no smoking related illnesses,ever,and nothing but 1 female problem,now corrected,in my entire life.
Ooops,I do wear reading glasses---maybe that's from smoking !!!!!
You will NEVER have to pay for ME friend!!!!
Why 1975?
How about an extra tax on autos to pay for those inflicted with asthma.
Mears, I am only on two prescriptions: Synthroid and Imitrex. That's it. I took my BP yesterday .......124 over 78.
And I do wear glasses for driving. Not too bad for a smoker, eh??!!!
inflicted=afflicted
To quote the great Walter E. Williams - "That is not a problem of liberty...that is a problem of socialism".
I remember the main reason for the States fleecing the tobacco companies for billions was to pay for the added health costs of smokers. If I am not mistaken, Colorado was one of those states. If they wish to pursue this route, they need to return the tobacco money..
THAT has gone up in smoke! ;-)
"I do wear reading glasses---maybe that's from smoking !!!!!"
That's an age problem!
One year at Christmas I mentioned to my uncle, an optometrist, that I was having difficulty reading my flight charts at dusk.
He asked me how old I was, I was 43 at the time, and his answer was: You're 3 years past due, come into my office Monday and i'll fix you up with some glasses.
Now at 68 I still have good distance vision but close work is nothing but a blure without glasses.
Smokers pay disproportionally high taxes, they generally croak earlier rather than later after being diagnosed (in hospice rather than in "care centers") and, from thirty years observing industry - they spend FAR less time on sick time/hospital leave than their oh-so-healthy counterparts.
There are about 25 people in my department, three of us smoke. We use sick time for being sick, about three days a year each on a high average. The remaining 22 include at least 6 who are out just about one week a month, sometimes three to four months at a time, 1 of which poisoned hinmself on his medicaions and 3 of which cannot travel at all or require first class accommodations, extra days to regain themselves after, and praise for their sacrifice when they DO travel.
Until recently we had another who was out on long term leave (nuts) for WAY over a year, three who took off for 'stress' and then sued for damages when they decided to quit and take other jobs, not to mention another who took all the time available, all the sick excuses possible, then 'found' a job at corporate with better perks and higher per-diem. The total should be reduced further for the 4 part timers who do not count in the budget mix:
That is 12% smokers versus 33% "healthy" hypochondriacs and 16% who are not counted....
The self inflicted 'natural causes' for death in the saddle have all been non-smokers as are ALL of the foot/back/asthma/nerves/stress/sensitivity (extended) absences.
Guess who winds up doing most of the work!
Please note also that the company/employer can freely and happily discriminate against smokers but by even hinting at, possibly, just questioning, the reality underlying any of the other ailments cited - would be in court before they could bend over and....
(my apologies for anyone getting pinged again)
&%&^%^%* This...........the MSA, thus smokers are already paying for this. The state already made an agreement with the tobacco companies to pay for this by charging more to smokers.
This is total bogue Bravo sierra.
It's late, I'm tired, and although I've read through the thread to this point --- there are more than a few comments I will be looking forward to responding to in the morning.
Do they also propose cutting benefits to Gays? Their behavior obviously is a major contributor to AIDs. What about War Veterans? Obviously, since it's an all volunteer Army, they CHOOSE to go to war and if they get injured, isn't that also their fault? I could list several more like this, but my point is, who else will they discriminate against?
Makes me wonder if they would only cut benefits to White smokers and not Blacks and Hispanics. Seems that would really hurt them, cutting benefits to minorities already drawing them.
What about alcohol
Morbidly obese people
Drug addicts and similar risky behavior profiles like gays
People who drive motorcycles
What the hell's up with the Republican and the granny state thinking?
Umm, yeah, I started before 1975. Matter of fact it was New Year's Eve 1974. Yeah, that's the ticket.
He's a dumbass. How can you document something like that?
Thanks for the ping!
OH NO...do you think the sleep nazis will be around to report me?
I'd say that there should be penalties for people who eat seaweed, and drink purified H2O.
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