Speakeasy forum: Smoker's Health Care

so it can be done by most. Some will find it easier, some harder.

While quitting smoking is more than breaking a habit perhaps, I can't place it in the same category as some other addictions, I don't believe there are many that it is as hard to quit smoking as truly addictive drugs.

Second hand smoke is another issue, and while it is probably is extremely bad for those with underlying conditions, I think it was pushed too far and actually caused a backlash of disbelief in it's effects by over blowing it's claims of damage.

But shouldn't their activity also be controlled during such time to reduce the transmission of such diseases?

As if to single them out. As others here explained, its all about health care not just smokers health care. Once you think, you can cut out someone and then proceed on with life as usual, will come back to haunt you, whether you believe it or not. That's health care for "all" and while those people may get it for free or greatly reduced cost, it isn't the top notch or the very best offered, it is however as good as it can be. The person that gets this health care *maybe* the person that offers you a ride when your car breaks down or stands in jury duty, otherwise a citizen just as you are. You should complain more to the insurance source as they collect those funds and I bet they put it in the bank and collect all the interest too and offer it back only when it suits them or have to. -----Willy

not premiums paid by different groups, as the opening post seemed to me.

you're trying to get people to say what they wouldn't say in a national health care debate?

You refer to private insurance rates, you refer to paying for you own.

Should everyone have to pay individual rates instead of the group rates they get by where they work, or bank, or social-economic group they belong?

Should anyone who can't afford insurance have it? no matter why they can't.

Maybe we should ignore the problem afterall. As long as it's nobody we know, most of us will I bet.

I'm no huge fan of any national health care plan I've seen, and I admit I haven't studied them enough to be fair to all. But everyone that goes to the emergency room for a high fever with the flu and can't pay drives up your cost too.

More unfair even is the fact that a hospital charges more for the same procedure if you pay out of pocket than they do if you are a member of a group insurance plan they have made an agreement with on rates for procedures. So the man who works, but doesn't have work insurance and can't afford the sky high rates for private insurance is billed more than the man whose insurance is going to pay 60% to 80% of price set by the insurance company for a procedure.

Here's more gasoline on the fire: Most PH folks: 'Smoking is the leading preventable cause of sickness and death.'