| Most Say Smokers Should Pay More For Health Insurance |
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22/11/2010 15:52 (541 Day 04:21 minutes ago) | |||||
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The FINANCIAL -- Some companies already charge smokers more for health insurance, and most Americans think that's a good idea.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Adults think people who smoke should pay higher health insurance rates than non-smokers. Thirty-eight percent (38%) disagree and do not think smokers should be charged more.
In October 2009, 50% of adults favored making government workers who smoke pay more for health insurance.
That same month, 30% of adults said overweight workers should also pay higher health insurance premiums.
Men are more supportive of charging smokers more for health insurance than women are.
Adults ages 30 to 64 like the idea of higher premiums for smokers than do those who are younger and older.
Those who earn $75,000 or more a year are much stronger supporters of higher rates for smokers than are those who earn less.
In an effort to reduce the number of smokers in the United States, starting in 2011, all health insurance companies will provide coverage for smoking-cessation programs under the new health care law. As part of the same effort, the federal Food and Drug Administration is introducing new cigarette warning labels with graphic images depicting the health risks of smoking. Most Americans don’t think the new warning labels will decrease the number of smokers in the United States, but they think raising the price of cigarettes will have an impact.
Eighty-four percent (84%) of Likely U.S. Voters rate their current health insurance coverage as good or excellent. But 45% expect to be paying more for health care a year from now.
Fifty-four percent (54%) oppose the requirement in the new federal health care bill that every American must buy or obtain health insurance.
Most voters continue to favor repeal of the new health care law.
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