Insurance Advisor

Posts Tagged ‘Health insurance’

Americans have unanimity when it comes to higher health insurance premiums for smokers but they are not sure about how to help those who do not have insurance cover. This was revealed by a recent survey that was published last week. Americans have become very health conscious and do not approve smoking which was a fad about a decade ago.

It came as a surprise, but majority of those surveyed felt that the health cars system in US needs to be revitalized and that the system was in poor shape. Survey sample included more than 1500 people, and 80% believed health care system needs revamping. Survey revealed that 46 million Americans are without health cover, and 60% of those surveyed said that smoking needs to be discouraged by making smokers pay higher premiums. Funny, but 30% said that obese should be penalized by higher premiums.

The survey indicates that there is a growing consensus among people to hold people responsible for their unhealthy behavior. It is interesting to see that the survey was published after democrats assumed majority in both houses of the US congress. Democrats believe that there should be more intervention by the government in the lives of those who are not insured.

With Democrats in power, it is not surprising that the health insurance industry has started to support a plan which envisages universal health insurance for all American citizens. There are about 46 million Americans who are uninsured, which is roughly 16% of the population, and the scenario is really scary, considering the prices of health care in hospitals and drugs has been increasing all the time.

There has been an encouraging trend in the industry, where 20% of the employers have begun to give discounts on health insurance premiums to those who are non smokers. This was stated by Helen Darling, president of the national Business group on Health. This trend is catching on, and there are indications that it will grow faster in the near future with non smokers being encouraged more ands more.
Helen had something interesting to say when she was asked about obesity. She said that the way Americans are becoming health conscious, the day is not far when people will be demanding discount on health insurance premium based upon their BMI, or Body Mass Index. She added that government was doing its bit, now the time has come for the citizens to share responsibility about their unhealthy behavior.