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Should people with healthy behaviors pay the same for care or

insurance as those whose habits result in a greater likelihood of
illness? How could such a differentiation be determined?

User Mark Suman
by
8.0k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

The question of whether people with healthy behaviors should pay the same for care or insurance as those with unhealthy habits raises ethical and practical considerations. Determining such a differentiation would require careful analysis of various factors, including lifestyle choices and health risk assessments.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question of whether people with healthy behaviors should pay the same for care or insurance as those whose habits result in a greater likelihood of illness is a complex one. On one hand, it may seem fair to differentiate premiums or costs based on individual behaviors and health risks. This concept is known as actuarially fair insurance, where people pay an amount that accurately reflects their risk group. For example, if someone engages in risky behaviors like smoking or excessive drinking, they may be charged higher premiums as they are more likely to require medical care. On the other hand, it is important to consider access to healthcare as a fundamental right. Charging individuals with unhealthy behaviors significantly higher premiums may result in those individuals not being able to afford insurance, leading to potential gaps in healthcare coverage and increased societal costs.

User Marcos Basualdo
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7.3k points
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