[dware]

Just because you're not a smoker, doesn't mean that something like this can't one day happen to you. When will people realize that, along with freedom comes a HUGE social responsibility on the part of those enjoying that freedom.

[Mo1]

That's called discrimination .. Watch the lawsuits that will come if he gets that passed

[Rick_Michael]

Agreed. Socialized medicine is a huge mistake, that few people understand.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

Smokers pay their way through the taxes they pay. Why don't we exclude health care for homosexuals with AIDS. They don't pay any additional taxes and they're a drain on the system and AIDS is preventable.

[sixgunjer]

I wonder if after they cut benefits for smokers, they will then proceed to cut benefits for those who engage in high-risk sexual practices? Drug users? Skydivers, etc?

[Tzimisce]

...it'll be called "discrimination" the minute some minority smoker gets the bad news...

[FairOpinion]

"But those who started after 1975 would see the amount the state picks up drop 5 percent every year after that. And those people who picked up the habit in 1996 or later wouldn't get any help."


===

This very clearly states that they will refuse treatment.

Someone has gone off the deep end here.

[FairOpinion]

"Colorado voters also approved raising the cigarette tax from 20 cents to 80 cents by passing Amendment 35 in 2004. It's expected to bring in more than $160 million a year with 28 percent going to smoking prevention programs as well as cancer detection and treatment. "

===

The smokers pay their taxes, but they shouldn't benefit from it, because the government says so. This is worse than pathetic and I am ashamed a Republican would propose to withhold treatment from sick smokers, after they have been paying the taxes for such purpose for years.

[sgtbono2002]

Which costs the most : Paying for a person with lung cancer to receive treatment for a couple of years and die at 60 or waiting for him to reach 65 paying his Social Security for 20 years and then 8 years of nursing home care?

[nmh]

Hey, if the rest of us can subsidize AID treatments then you can subsidize people who smoke.

[nmh]

Does this idiot realize that lung cancer isn't reserved for people who smoke?

Geesh!

[elkfersupper]

No mention of motorcyclists, rump rangers, skydivers, fast food addicts, or people who run with scissors.

Why is that?

[bill1952]

I don't smoke, but this is absurd.
Maybe we should cut health care out for the users of the 1 source of injuries, automobiles.

All registered drivers get no coverage.

That sarcasm aside, I really want Senators, especially ones that drink alcohol,cut out of the government health insurance that is paid for with my tax money.

None of you Senators drink, do you?

[DumpsterDiver]

Good evening, ladies. Get a load of this article.

[TheLion]

Lord, save us from these dumb politicians. Exclude one group and you will end up having to exclude them all.

[TheSpottedOwl]

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!

[SeaBiscuit]

Double Jeopardy

[ronnied]

will i be exempt if i gamble & smoke in atlantic city, nj...

[goodnesswins]

Um...I think the states and feds would have to give up the TAXES they GET on tobacco, first.

[Coleus]

then we should do the same with drinking, drug use, etc. Who is going to keep track of everybody.

[Coleus]

added "puff list" to the key words.