Thread: Paul Ryan’s repeal and replace allows restraint of trade and price fixing to continue

I see. Okay, well, there's probably a private company out there somewhere that hasn't raised rates in 31 years and I'm just not familiar with them.

Originally Posted by MW

I certainly don't! Many of these "preexisting conditions" were brought on my a lifestyle choice, i.e., smoking, overeating, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, homosexuality, etc. Why shouldn't those people pay more? Why should you or I be punished because of someone else's lifestyle choice?

Because they're paying for yours.

Originally Posted by MW

Originally Posted by johnwk

Do you have a problem with those with "preexisting conditions" having to pay a higher premium?


JWK

I certainly don't! Many of these "preexisting conditions" were brought on by a lifestyle choice, i.e., smoking, overeating, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, homosexuality, etc. Why shouldn't those people pay more? Why should you or I be punished because of someone else's lifestyle choice?

You are absolutely correct! Those with high risk conditions, some of which you have listed, should pay in accordance with their lifestyle risks. To not do so is to advance the Marxist notion of, from each according to their ability, to each according to their needs.


JWK

Then those lifestyle choice groups that you feel are somehow cheating you should have their own group, only pay for their own and not pay into yours. That way you all can pay for your own stuff. Would that be satisfactory to you?

Originally Posted by Judy

Then those lifestyle choice groups that you feel are somehow cheating you should have their own group, only pay for their own and not pay into yours. That way you all can pay for your own stuff. Would that be satisfactory to you?

Judy,

This has nothing to do with "cheating". We are talking about how insurance works in a free market system, and insurance companies being able to offer policies based upon risk factors. You seem to have a problem with insurance premiums being based upon risk factors. Why? Do you think you should pay the same auto collision insurance that an owner of a Lamborghini Veneno pays? How about drivers convicted of driving under the influence? Should someone never convicted of a DUI pay the same insurance premium as one convicted of this crime?

JWK

I support a free market system so long as there is regulation to prevent monopoly, unfair, deceptive or fraudulent trade practices. That's why I oppose government mandates to force people or businesses to purchase insurance of any kind. If I like the terms of the insurance offered by a "free market", then I'll decide whether or not I want to buy it, if I don't, I won't. I don't want the government telling me what I have purchase.

I have no problem at all with insurance companies deciding they want to penalize one group to subsidize another group so long as they are doing it without a government mandate, and the determinations and outcomes don't violate monopoly or unfair, deceptive or fraudulent trade practices.

I used the word "cheated", because that is how you and MW seem to feel. You feel that somehow homosexuals and people who overeat, drink, alcoholics, use drugs or smoke are responsible for higher health insurance rates and that you are being "punished" with higher rates because of them. My response to that is fine, then you and MW get in a group and pay for your own, and people with different "lifestyle choices" than yours get in their own group and pay for their own.

Why do you have a problem with that? If you feel you're being punished or cheated in some way by their inclusion, then exclude them. There's certainly no reason why they should be paying premiums to underwrite you if you want to underwrite them.

No, I don't think people convicted of DUI's should pay higher insurance premiums. Do convicted burglars and vandals pay higher insurance premiums? Do murderers and malpractice doctors pay higher health insurance premiums?

Yes, any premium based on value of the insured asset should fluctuate with the value. However. the price per unit of value should be uniform.