[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by Easyrider

Would have to disagree, age would have to included in the list of things that raise health care costs. Many are already arguing that that older people should be paying a lot more for health insurance since it's the older people that are a heavy burden on the health care system...Age is the main driver of the costs.

In my opening post I talked about "accountability" and taking responsibility. Getting older is not a lifestyle choice. Everyone gets older. So, for example, an older person who smokes should pay more than an older person who doesn't smoke. An older person who is overweight should pay more than an older person who's not overweight.

1. Do you think younger healthier people that seldom need health care should pay more to cover older people and those with pre-existing conditions while you pay less?

No, I don't think a younger healthier person should pay more to take care of older people, assuming that he/she is living a healthy lifestyle. Only those with unhealthy lifestyles should be charged more. About "pre-existing conditions": It's getting too hypothetical, it might depend on what caused the pre-existing condition. Should I pay less? I'm in medicare so I do pay less. But I keep myself healthy and I don't use anything close to what I pay in. Many in Medicare, who live unhealthy lifestyles, use much more than they pay in. And that's why medicare is having difficulty. Those in medicare who take health risks, like smoking, should pay more. That would help keep medicare solvent.

2. To apply your thinking would you argue that health insurance premiums should not go up as we get older and if so why?

People should not be charged more simply because they get older. Of course there will be increases because of inflation in medical care etc..

What if all health premiums started going up say 5-10% each year after we reach say 60 since we are more likely to need health care each day we live.

I'm 72 and totally healthy. Not too long ago there was a man who lived to 114 and was totally healthy up until one month before he died. A Mexican woman just died at 115 and was never sick. A man who lived in Leesburg died at 109 and was never sick. And there were many many more, too many to mention all of them. They all lived healthy lifestyles. Why charge people a "penalty" simply because they get older?