So, since insurance companies are in business to make money, and obese and overweight people cost them much more money than people who are not, are you suggesting insurance companies will “wise up” and refuse to insure, or start charging overweight people more for coverage?!?

I am not the original poster you responded to, so I can only speak for myself.

I personally think Health Insurance is a crime. I think holding people's children's health hostage is a criminal and despicable act.

That said, I believe the health insurance companies will do whatever they can get away with to make more money. Period. Full Stop. Notice I did not mention if what they decide on is legal, I don't think that matters to them, it is simply yet another cost consideration in their decision making.

So, yes, I think insurance companies will do anything, including refusing to cover people, charging more, and dropping coverage for any reason they can come up with. I had a close friend that worked for an insurance company. She was in a department called "Loss Prevention". Her job was to find ways to NOT pay medical bill claims that would otherwise be covered by the policy. She was VERY good at her job.

Yes, you did. With immunity!

That's what I meant. Which is crazy, since that's also what I wrote. Amazing.

There's this funny little thing called "natural consequences." Some examples: If you bang your head hard enough on a brick wall, you just might end up with a cracked skull. That would be a natural consequence.

Another example: if you walk into a bank, unmasked, unarmed, and tell the bank teller out loud that you will need to rob her and for her to give over all her money, you'll most likely be arrested. Natural consequence.

Another example: if you cross the street without looking both ways during rush hour at a busy intersection, you will most likely be hit by a car, OR cause the cars around you to hit each other in the process of avoiding you. That's a natural consequence.

Action, reaction.

If enough people refuse to vaccinate, and have no valid medical reason to refuse, and in turn end up with COVID-19, the insurance companies might very well start saying "we will only cover your COVID-19 illness if you are either vaccinated, or have a valid medical reason for refusing."

And since they're the health insurance company, they get to decide what a "valid medical reason" is.

Natural consequence. It's not a threat, it's not a wish. It's just one of those things that are likely to happen as a reaction to an action.

Like I said, you didn't say "should" you said "could" or might. But, it is "reasonable" that insurance. companies would take actions to protect their profects.

And if you keep eating foods high in carbohydrates and fat and don’t exercise regularly you’ll continue to gain weight, which makes you a much greater health risk...

“And since they're the health insurance company, they get to decide what a "valid medical reason" is.”

“Natural consequence. It's not a threat, it's not a wish. It's just one of those things that are likely to happen as a reaction to an action.”

Patriotic? Sounds like Bribery to me.

It indicates 2 things. ( 1 )A company that is either getting (almost) free PR or wanting to do their civic duty and nudge US society into doing the RIGHT thing - maybe both are true. ( 2 ) A situation where people are waiting on the fence for something or someone to push them in a direction. Note that if ONE Corporation gives away one small reward, then maybe (?) it will influence MANY other Corporations to do the same RIGHT thing. Then, the rewards will be GREAT for a GREAT cause - what could be greater than the health of the country and the prevention of many American DEATHS and suffering!

Love that white dog! And I believe that Corporations, in general, are now getting better at taking social responsibility. Their customers are more involved and vocal on social media than ever before. Social medial has a powerful upside as well as a downside!

OK and that is a VERY bad thing for humans and the US of A - and a VERY good thing for the mutating of the virus.

I liked that one!!!!!!!!!!! Kudos!

I think they are, but not just out of the kindness of their hearts.

Exxon just replaced two board members with climate change-friendly members because of promotion by a hedge fund with a growing number of climate-friendly members.

Once again, change in this country is, IMNSHO, almost entirely driven by money - in this case, climate-friendly retirees investing in a hedge fund to express their wants and desires via their money. While not a complete "'coup" it is a step in the right direcrtion.

Sorry about your friends. Since it bothers you, maybe you should get NEW friends. As to the charge card usage, young people are moving away from cash to a cashless society. That trend won't be reversing any time soon!

You are so correct about social responsibility awakening with social media.

Used to be that the old Freidman philosophy about the only thing that counts is the money....that is changing with our younger folks and while seeing corporate INDIVIDUALS GAIN so much during COVID, I think there is an awakening that instead of so much stress on the shareholders and money......corporations are waking up and understanding the responsibility to society has been ignored. See the HUGE diversity in income and worth between different stratas and how it continues to grow wider....that is hard to ignore.

I grew up when the only thing that counted was the bottom line.......watching the happenings,I now think we are actually able to make a profit and also profit the world and the country at the same time.

It is hard with that "downside" being so loud to see the "upside" but I trust in our young people.

Okay, I’m ready!