Many Adults Believe Unhealthy Individuals Should Pay More For Health Insurance, Poll Shows

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 24 Jul 2006 - 20:00 PDT

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About 53% of U.S. adults believe that individuals with unhealthy lifestyles should pay higher insurance premiums than those with healthy lifestyles, compared with 32% who oppose the practice, according to a recent WSJ.com/Harris Interactive poll, the Wall Street Journal Online reports. The poll, conducted July 11 through July 13, included interviews with 2,325 U.S. adults. According to the poll, 53% of respondents also believe that individuals with unhealthy lifestyles should pay higher deductibles or copayments than those with healthy lifestyles, compared with 30% who oppose the practice. Researchers defined individuals with healthy lifestyles as those who do not smoke and who exercise on a regular basis and control their weight. The poll also finds that 56% of respondents believe unemployed and low-income individuals should receive the same quality of care as those who are employed and pay substantial taxes (Wall Street Journal Online, 7/19).

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