Gretawire
  • November 12, 2009 02:39 PM EST

    A Weighty Issue

    Should obese people have to pay more for their insurance? And two, should thin people have to pick up the tab for overweight people if they get sick? Steve Moore and I discussed this issue on last night's ON THE RECORD ... in case you missed it, here's your chance to watch. What do you think?

Rett

My gut reaction was, 'heck no' we shouldn't have to cover overweight people's problems. But there were so many intelligent answers and different points of views that I have reconsidered....Lovin Greta! :-)

November 12, 2009 at 8:07 pm

annie Oakley the real one

We have to stop being petty. We all have our cross to bear. Men should pay for female-specific treatments just as women should pay for prostrate exams. Fat or thin – eventually we will all have our problems.

November 12, 2009 at 7:57 pm

Younger sister

Do all of you have some form of government run healthcare, where your premiums don't increase because of chronic conditions?

November 12, 2009 at 7:52 pm

Dave C

Steve Moore, your guest on Tuesday evening is an idiot. He champions the increase of health care costs for the obese, but makes no mention of smokers, old age, type A personalities, people who work in job that are dangerous or unhealthy, people with a genetic predisposition for disease or illness, people who drink alcohol, people who engage in cheating on their spouses, listening to Steve Moore, etc. etc. etc. All are contributors to either making people sick or shortening their lives.

November 12, 2009 at 7:03 pm

Standing Strong

I guess we will all have to weigh in to get health insurance. What will be next, hand our house keys over if the lawn does not pass inspection for homeowners insurance.

November 12, 2009 at 6:56 pm

Christine Mathies

Dear Greta,No one talks about those who become fat because of illness. 13 years ago, I exercised every other day, weighed 128 lbs- (I'm 5'3"). Since then I became ill with a disordered that was not diagnosed until 1999, Fibromyalgia. SInce then I gained 200 lbs. I still exercise every other day, quit smoking and drinking, and eat healthily, and in the last 2 years lost 67 lbs. But, it is so hard with the etreme pain I have to lose weight. I should not be punished. Can this point be discussed?

November 12, 2009 at 6:44 pm

jeanette

This is discrimination . if they start picking and choosing who would qualify for health insurance then who's to say senior citizens wouldn't qualify because they are high risk. this is a crock... I would like to see Lou Dobs come to Fox..

November 12, 2009 at 6:36 pm

HBOkim

Look around in a hospital.....not everyone is obese. Thin people get just as sick. I was just with a stick thin person who had high stress, cholesterol over 300, smoked, and ate chips. Thin doesn't equal healthy.

November 12, 2009 at 5:59 pm

othrpplz$

Perhaps they could tax video games as well as soda.

November 12, 2009 at 5:27 pm

Fairminded

I purchased extended warranty on the car I was then driving.Thought it was a good idea. When ever I took the car in for a particular problem, the service desk clerk would say, “I need to call the insurance company to see if this is covered”. Never got the opportunity to use that warranty, claim was always denied. This is what the primary health care system in America is like and it is scary. By 2019 healthcare cost will be up 166%. Affordable health care should be for the fat as well as thin.

November 12, 2009 at 5:11 pm

BaltimoreBev

Not a problem I suppose as long as they also charge extra for homosexual activity, anorexia, smoking, drug abuse, contact sports, those who fly often, boating activities, dangerous jobs such as construction, sedentary jobs, drinking alcohol, psychological problems such as anxiety/depression.......etc, etc, etc.

November 12, 2009 at 4:20 pm

Mary H

As a senior citizen, I've lost many friends; as I recall, none of them were obese and most were very health conscious. Many of these same friends had parents who were obese but lived to 80 or 90. I think the food (fertilizer used), air, synthetics, etc. factors in. Obese people being lazy is a myth! Poor people can't afford healthier foods. Most illnesses have a cause: alcoholism, smoking, suntanning,?cell phones,stress, list goes on. Why obese discrimination? Thin/fat,we all die!

November 12, 2009 at 4:19 pm

MK,MO

Fat people get sick, thin people get sick, you start down the road of exclusion and it will not end, before you know it the insurance company will find something that they can claim is "high risk" about each of us, that really ain't what we are after here is it?

November 12, 2009 at 4:15 pm

Younger sister

Obesity Triples The Risk Of Chronic Kidney Failure ScienceDaily (May 13, 2006) — Obesity is an important and potentially preventable risk factor for chronic renal failure (CRF), according to a study in the June Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

November 12, 2009 at 4:06 pm

Grand Ole Flag

DID anyone ever hear of Genetics ? Not everyone is over weight because they over eat ! some have glandular problems . some are caused by a water problem known as Dropsy . most are caused by the defective Genes! so lets start putting thing in the right Perspective . Leave the Hefty People alone start finding a cure ! there still looking for a cure for cancer !( But ) i Understand they have that cure , It's called MONEY ! keeping that Hushed up ..and a way to keep the surplus Population Down. Bah

November 12, 2009 at 4:06 pm

Just sayin'...

Where do you draw the line? Should others have to pay for people who: get sport/hobby injuries, ride a motorcycle, do dangerous repairs better handled by professionals, or other risky activities? Maybe there should be multiple policies that people have to choose from to fit their life style. Why stick it just to fat people? My insurance company dishes out bucks for football & wrestling injuries that are chronic. Oh well, just another slippery slope, I guess.

November 12, 2009 at 3:50 pm

budmanx

It's not fair I tell you it's not fair to target fatass ppl and charge them more. In fact since we fit ppl can actually work more hours, and generally earn more money than all the fatass sick lame and lazy slobs who don't live healthy lifestyles and too lazy to take care of their health we who are able to reap more rewards from the system should actually pay more than fatass sick lame and lazy slobs. From each according to their ability, to each according to their need. Isn't that right Bo?

November 12, 2009 at 3:48 pm

notbornyesterday

should overweight people have to pay for anoreics,bulemics and all those eating disorders should non smokers have to pay for smokers, drug addicts, I don't have a gun, should I have to pay for people who go hunting and get hurt? I don't climb on roofs , should I have to pay for someone who fell off a roof, on and on

November 12, 2009 at 3:42 pm

Kent

Personally, I believe people need to be more responsible for their weight. Yes there are some that have medical conditions for being overweight. But to really address the problem, obesity, we need to have consequences for peoples actions. If more people are allowed to be obese, w/o consequences, the medical complications will continue to grow and eventually we all will pay for it, thru higher premiums or taxes. (depending health care bill)

November 12, 2009 at 3:33 pm

Lard Limbaugh Can Afford His Own Insurance

I certainly know I resent paying for Haley Barbour's obesity. If he just bought six (6) less hams per month, twelve (12) less gallons of Butter Pecan ice cream and two (2) cases less of mixed nuts, he'd be healthier and able to pay for his own health insurance. /s/ Brick

November 12, 2009 at 3:28 pm

what i'm reading

about this website