Is it wrong to deny life insurance to a reefer smoker?

[Pulpfishin]

These people actually think they are smart enough to “regulate” health insurance!

http://www.democraticunderground.com...esg_id=7799614

Philosoraptor (1000+ posts) Fri Feb-26-10 08:17 AM
Original message
Is it wrong to deny life insurance to a reefer smoker?
It's a common problem, a friend of mine applied for life insurance and was denied after being forced to pee in a cup. His marijuana levels were 'too high'. Apparently they allow for a certain level of thc in the system, 1 to 45 points on their scale, he unfortunately registered at 145, by whatever stupid scale they've come up with.

I'll bet the insurance companies don't give a shit if you're an alcoholic, but they deny pot heads outright, I don't know how they handle the cigarette smokers.

There are a lot of people out there who enjoy this illegal activity for better or worse, but what is the reasoning behind denying life insurance to a person based solely on the fact that they like to get high? Sometimes we almost forget that it's illegal, but it is for some stupid ass reason.

Hint: DO NOT post when smoking dope DUmmy!

[Milly]

In regard to cigarette smokers:

They charge us lots and lots of extra money!

[Jumpy]

I know lots of responsible adults who are occasional to frequent pot smokers. They are smart enough to get it out of their systems before being tested.

[PoliCon]

I know lots of responsible adults who are occasional to frequent pot smokers. They are smart enough to get it out of their systems before being tested.

if it is discovered that they have lied - they can have their insurance rightfully canceled.

[djones520]

Considering THC has something like 3 times the carcinogens of cigarrettes, I think it's safe for the life insurance company to not want to go into a deal with someone who smokes pot like cigarrettes.

[Jumpy]

if it is discovered that they have lied - they can have their insurance rightfully canceled.

That's not on me. I don't smoke it. I do drink on occasion, and other than one being legal, and the other illegal, I think pot smoking is less risky than cigarrettes and alcohol. edited to add.. Insurance companys can deny whoever they want..

[Gingersnap]

Smokers, contrary to popular myth, pay way more in health insurance than obese people, old people, suicidal teens, anorexics, depressed people, or people who enjoy random gay sex in public parks or other facilities.

In real life, smokers don't cost more than pregnant women. Now, a pregnant smoker might cost more. Most people who suffer fatal heart attacks are evenly divided between people who have no risk factors and those those smoke, are fat, have a first degree relative with heart problems, or have unusual blood lipid levels.

Fat people, people who have relatives who have died before 60 of cardiovascular issues, or people with unusual blood lipid levels generally don't pay anywhere near the premiums of smokers. Since only 24% of the population smokes, and most of them not for 30 years, and since only around a third of deaths in smokers can be attributed to smoking, they just aren't the big issue in health care.

Women are the big issue in health care. Women require near constant evaluation for hormonal birth control, prenatal care, neonatal care, pre-cancerous and cancerous factors of the reproductive system, abortion, birth control, menopause intervention, bone density management, depression, birth, PMS, and pharmaceutical management of anxiety.

Who would be for charging women more because we suck up 70% of every healthcare dollar?

[Speedy]

If you have a motorcycle endorsement on your drivers license you get charged a higher rate also.

[PoliCon]

Fat people, people who have relatives who have died before 60 of cardiovascular issues, or people with unusual blood lipid levels generally don't pay anywhere near the premiums of smokers.

Fat people also cost much less tending to die younger just saying . . . .

[Jumpy]

Fat people also cost much less tending to die younger just saying . . . .

But as a life insurer, wouldnt that make it more expensive to insure fat people than pot smokers?