[Monkei]

Originally Posted by jblum315

Have you ever watched the TV show "Nurse Jackie"? Jackie (played by Edie Falco) is a drug addict but she is a top notch nurse, caring and efficient. She doesn't use drugs while she is on duty, she only smuggles them out of the hospital pharmacy. I don't see what difference it makes what people do when they're off duty?

From what I remember working in a Medical Center, if drugs are missing from the pharmacy, SOMEONE is going to get fired.

[KARENNN]

The problem is that smoking is legal. They can forbid smoking on their property, but should they really dictate what people do at home, if it is legal? They should not hire people who drink alcohol either for that matter then. Now, if tobacco and alcohol were to become illegal, that is another story. I would like to see that happen in my lifetime.

[Easyrider]

Originally Posted by CFrance View Post
I wonder if it's a financial decision... smokers cost more to insure.

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Yes, the link stated: "...the decision was made in part because of the high health care costs and lost productivity associated with smoking."

That's why I agree with their decision.

High health care costs and loss of productivity are also associated with old people too especially those over 70.
Do you agree with that too?

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by Easyrider

High health care costs and loss of productivity are also associated with old people too especially those over 70.
Do you agree with that too?

You mean regarding health care costs to the employer? I don't see that as a big problem because there are not many people over 70 seeking employment. And we already have age discrimination in hiring so I wouldn't worry about it.

Ever been around a really smelly old person, I'll take the smoker or an overweight person that showers regularly anytime.

But what if the person is a smoker, overweight and smelly?

[buggyone]

There are some very strange replies to this thread. The hospital in question has the legal right to hire only non-smokers. It has to do only with the health insurance issue.

My health insurance offers free "quit smoking" assistance programs as well as reduced costs for health clubs in order to promote a healthy lifestyle. It helps to keep rates low for all the insured people.

Hats off to businesses that do not hire smokers.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by Campbell soup

I agree with smokers not being hired.

I do too.

p.s. Cambell Soup. Long time. Nice to see you back on TOTV.

[Easyrider]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

You mean regarding health care costs to the employer? I don't see that as a big problem.

No, health care costs in general. Old age and the age related problems it brings is by far the largest contributor to health care costs. Too many self righteous people want to point a finger and talk about certain groups and say they are the problem. Overweight people and smokers are such an easy and popular target to bash while wearing a crown of self righteousness. I don't know even one smoker or overweight person that is happy they have this addiction or problem just as a lot of other people are not happy they have many other problems.



What is driving health care spending?
While there is broad agreement that the rise in costs must be controlled, there is disagreement over the driving factors. Some of the major factors that have been discussed in cost growth are:
Technology and prescription drugs– For several years, spending on prescription drugs and new medical technologies has been cited as a primary contributor to the increase in overall health spending; however, in recent years, the rate of spending on prescription drugs has decelerated.[1] Nonetheless, some analysts state that the availability of more expensive, state-of-the-art medical technologies and drugs fuels health care spending for development costs and because they generate demand for more intense, costly services even if they are not necessarily cost-effective. [6]
Rise in chronic diseases – Longer life spans and greater prevalence of chronic illnesses has placed tremendous demands on the health care system. It is estimated that health care costs for chronic disease treatment account for over 75% of national health expenditures. The changing nature of illness has sparked a renewed interest in the possible role for prevention to help control costs.
Administrative costs – At least 7% of health care expenditures are estimated to go toward for the administrative costs of government health care programs and the net cost of private insurance (e.g. administrative costs, reserves, taxes, profits/losses).[1] Some argue that the mixed public-private system creates overhead costs and large profits that are fueling health care spending.[8]

From Health Services Research:

Principal Findings

Per capita lifetime expenditure is $316,600, a third higher for females ($361,200) than males ($268,700). Two-fifths of this difference owes to women's longer life expectancy. Nearly one-third of lifetime expenditures is incurred during middle age, and nearly half during the senior years. For survivors to age 85, more than one-third of their lifetime expenditures will accrue in their remaining years.

Conclusions

Given the essential demographic phenomenon of our time, the rapid aging of the population, our findings lend increased urgency to understanding and addressing the interaction between aging and health care spending.

The distribution of health care costs is strongly age dependent, a phenomenon that takes on increasing relevance as the baby boom generation ages. After the first year of life, health care costs are lowest for children, rise slowly throughout adult life, and increase exponentially after age 50 (Meerding et al. 1998). Bradford and Max (1996) determined that annual costs for the elderly are approximately four to five times those of people in their early teens. Personal health expenditure also rises sharply with age within the Medicare population. The oldest group (85+) consumes three times as much health care per person as those 65–74, and twice as much as those 75–84 (Fuchs 1998). Nursing home and short-stay hospital use also increases with age, especially for older adults (Liang et al. 1996).

[buggyone]

The above poster says that age related health issues take up most health costs. Of course they do - but the issue of the thread is that smokers will not be hired in a hospital. It is not that old people will not be hired in that hospital.

Their issue is that generally smokers are a bad health insurance risk based on actuarial tables. Old people are, too, but they are not applying for jobs! We are retired!

[JP]

Originally Posted by Monkei

It is a free country and they are free to look for other jobs.

Its just the beginning in this overly politically correct society.

Don't kid yourself, these people want these rules applied to ALL jobs.

STOP THE MADNESS!!

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by buggyone

The above poster says that age related health issues take up most health costs. Of course they do - but the issue of the thread is that smokers will not be hired in a hospital. It is not that old people will not be hired in that hospital.

Their issue is that generally smokers are a bad health insurance risk based on actuarial tables. Old people are, too, but they are not applying for jobs! We are retired!

Good point. And not only that, you can't prevent getting old or the breakdown of the body that comes with it, and the increased health care costs. You can prevent the breaking down of the body that's caused by smoking.

[janmcn]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Good point. And not only that, you can't prevent getting old or the breakdown of the body that comes with it, and the increased health care costs. You can prevent the breaking down of the body that's caused by smoking.

Totally agree, and would add you can prevent obesity.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by janmcn

Totally agree, and would add you can prevent obesity.

umm. Maybe you can.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by buggyone

The above poster says that age related health issues take up most health costs. Of course they do - but the issue of the thread is that smokers will not be hired in a hospital. It is not that old people will not be hired in that hospital.

Their issue is that generally smokers are a bad health insurance risk based on actuarial tables. Old people are, too, but they are not applying for jobs! We are retired!

Good post. I couldn't have said it better. All the other stuff could be a topic for another thread.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by JP

Its just the beginning in this overly politically correct society.

I wouldn't use your phrase, "politically correct society". I would call it, "economically correct". That means if some people decide to engauge in risky behavior, whatever it may be, they shouldn't be accepted into the same risk pool as others who are living healthier lifestyles?

[Russ_Boston]

Florida Hospital Waterman has had this policy for over 2 years already. I know because I applied there in 2011. And they require a blood test at hire and randomly to enforce their policy. Applies to all new hires including medical.

Check out their careers page: Careers