OpEd: Joseph  Muehlbauer

re: Home Depot and discriminatory insurance rates

Dear Mr. Blake,

I have a concern about a new policy for health coverage. I have been off work due to a collapsed disk in my neck and have recently returned. I have seen a new policy for health benefits indicating I will have a higher premium due to the fact that I smoke. This concerns me on many levels and I question the standard that is set in doing so.

Understand, I will not defend smoking, since I understand the possible health risks due to smoking; however, I do question where this type of policy will take us. I would wonder what the next step will be. I am concerned that, one would assume, similar policies will be enacted for other reasons such as being overweight, being on psychotropic drugs, ingesting fast food with its many chemicals, or using alcohol. Am I to understand that only smoking is cause for higher medical costs? What about associates that live in areas of air quality concerns such as large cities?

There are several (actually 1000’s) of studies done by the EPA linking severe health conditions with exposure to gas fumes and fumes of chemicals that can be found in our very own aisles. Will individuals working in garden have to pay a higher premium since they are exposed to chemicals on a daily basis? I feel these are valid questions that need to be considered. There are also several studies linking obesity and diet to health risks such as high cholesterol, heart issues, diabetes, and general damage to all organs. The list of side effects from taking most medications, such as psychotropic drugs prescribed by doctors, is typically longer than the positive effects. I would suggest that these individuals pay a higher premium since their burden on the health insurance would obviously be substantial. More