Should Vegetarians Pay Lower Insurance Premiums?

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http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/californias-state-of-hunger/content?oid=4978550

kaiku of AZ 2:00AM February 10, 2012

With some alterations to the system, I think that their should be premium discounts. In particular to vegans should get the discount, vegetarians still eat a plethora of unhealthy animal products. I do not think meat eaters should have their premium raised either, and overall you have to look at the lifestyle of the person, and do a holistic background check. With the right minds at work, this could be a big disaster, or bloom into something beautiful.

Sara Muniz of UT 8:41PM July 28, 2011

I've heard some non-smokers get discounts. If someone is a vegetarian, give them a discount. If they don't smoke, give them more a discount. If they don't drink, give them a discount. In general, a much higher percentage of meat eaters are overweight (68% vs less than 18%). Vegetarians do have a 50% less chance of developing Heart Disease, the #1 killer. Also less chance of cancer and diabetes. It makes sense. Why should I, as a vegetarian, have to pay more and more every year when I have a clean bill of health, yet some of my friends (same age, meat eaters) are suffering from obesity and Type 2 diabetes? I know A LOT of very healthy, and older, vegetarians who don't deserve the increase rates because of others.

dks of TX 7:54PM March 06, 2010

Yes, insurance is a pool, but all insurance is risk based.
BCBS already offers "Healthy discounts". A plant based diet is healthier therefore a small premium difference will be make a huge statement and save lives.

Sanjay Jain of DC 9:27AM November 18, 2008

The larger the membership, the better the costs are spread to cover the higher and lower risks at average rates.
Vegetarians can smoke, drink, and do a lot of unhealthy and risky things.
Meat eaters also eat vegetables and a balanced diet is recommended by all health experts because protein is an essential part of a healthy diet.
You could just as easily say that milk drinkers should pay more because they do not get enough vegetable juice in their diets.
It would make no sense, but neither does it make sense that all vegetarians are more healthy than everyone else.

HillbillyBill of TN 6:40PM November 17, 2008