Should Vegetarians Pay Lower Insurance Premiums?

Many studies have offered evidence that vegetarians lead longer, healthier lives. Knowing this, PETA has offered their money-saving solution to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont: Increase your premiums for meat-eaters, and lower them for vegetarians. "Given the latest news about the effects of E. coli on meat-eaters -- and the mountain of evidence linking meat consumption to some of our nation's deadliest diseases -- this change will benefit Blue Cross Blue Shield's bottom line while also helping to ensure that your policyholders don't flat line," wrote Tracy Reiman, executive director of PETA.

Kevin Goddard, vice president of external affairs for Blue Cross, dodged the issue by pointing out that the discrepancy is illegal under Vermont law. It would also be difficult to enforce - as Treehugger points out, anyone could check the box claiming to be a vegetarian. And what about the flexitarians? Should they get half of a premium cut?

So, here's a poll:

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