[kimball]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Under Obamacare, obesity will be a disease. It will be a pre-existing condition so it will not carry a higher premium or penalty.

But smoking will not be a disease, it will be considered a lifestyle choice. As such, it will carry a huge penalty. A $9,000 insurance premium for a 64 year old non-smoker would rise to somewhere between $10,900. and 13,600 for a 64 year old smoker. That's a large penalty.

Their mindset: If you're addicted/habituated to cigarettes, you can just stop. It's a lifestyle choice. But if you're addicted/habituated to high calorie processed foods, you need medical help. You can't just stop by yourself.

Why the difference? It seems to me they are both lifestyle choices and, therefore, both should carry a penalty.

Think, don't politicize.

McDonalds French Fries don't have a label that say's they can kill you. Cigarettes do!