Ever since President Obama”s healthcare plan was approved by Congress, we as a nation have been finding out what”s in the plan as so eloquently put by Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. Unfortunately, what we are finding is not good news. The cost involved with providing healthcare to the nation is staggering. Estimates from the CBO raise monthly. Many of us are already experiencing the fallout with rising health care premiums.
With the realization that about 50 percent of the nation is considered to be obese, comes additional concern of how the federal government is going to be able to foot the health care bill. Obese people are subject to far more health care issues. We are seeing some evidence of the panic with new legislation now popping up; outlawing super-sized sodas in New York, proposals to tax all junk foods and now an assault on Disneyland, strong-arming them to limit or eliminate junk food advertisers. Has someone forgotten this is a free country? I think people who are obese should pay higher health care premiums. What? Discrimination, you say? Yes, it is. Actuaries at insurance companies do that every day. If you live in a high-crime area, you will pay a higher rate for your home insurance. If you live in a remote area, far from a fire station, you will pay higher fire insurance rate.
If you are in a lot of car accidents, you will pay higher car insurance premiums. So, if you are above a certain weight considered normal for your body size or above a certain BMI, you should pay a higher health insurance premium. About 50 percent of the population is now considered obese. What about the other 50 percent? They are not obese, why should they have to limit big, sugary sodas or pay more for junk foods? They are choosing not to eat super-sized burgers, pizza and chips daily. But, there is an occasional party or event and they may want to indulge. Is it right that they should pay for the actions of others who wish make poor food choices daily? No, I don”t think so.
Jaxan Christensen
Upper Lake
