tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18943510.post3174790002415240879..comments2023-08-21T02:57:37.362-05:00Comments on Dr. Wes: The Constitutionality of MandatesDrWeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17438019699222125477noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18943510.post-7555067506531316952009-09-20T15:51:46.986-05:002009-09-20T15:51:46.986-05:00Dr. Wes - I don't think the issue is silly. P...Dr. Wes - I don't think the issue is silly. People who smoke are "taxed" already in a variety of ways. Other than the obvious ways - like direct taxes paid on the product - employers in various states can legally refuse to hire a smoker. I assume the result would be the same with regard to exercise.<br /><br />The issue with regard to obesity is less clear. For example - "AAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18943510.post-36401032591589018612009-09-19T19:33:28.690-05:002009-09-19T19:33:28.690-05:00I think a beter comparison would be state mandated...I think a beter comparison would be state mandated auto insurance that prevents some from running into your vhicle without having the financial wherewithall to repair the damage. If you are going to rquire everyone to have health insurance, you don't want to have them have to pay for someone elses health care on top of it. It is a big leap from madatory health insuance or a penalty payment Keithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18943510.post-14850007434008380722009-09-19T19:26:51.814-05:002009-09-19T19:26:51.814-05:00Wes.
This concept of taxing people for obesity or...Wes.<br /><br />This concept of taxing people for obesity or smoking fits with your concept of personal responsibility. But where does that stop; how about skydiving, scuba diving, playing football, using illicit drugs, tc etc. I beleive the private insurance industry already weeds these folks out form insurability anyways.<br /><br />But I thought your post was about the idea of penalizing Keithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18943510.post-56207361525099031632009-09-19T16:07:41.640-05:002009-09-19T16:07:41.640-05:00Keith-
As Robyn appropriately points out, neither...Keith-<br /><br />As Robyn appropriately points out, neither of us are lawyers (and yes, Virginia, I don't know much about law). But I would assume these other individuals would and the potential for "taxing" people who don't exercise enough, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6870458/" rel="nofollow">smoke</a>, or are <a href="http://www.fox8.com/DrWeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17438019699222125477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18943510.post-42446189297375902902009-09-18T18:35:38.614-05:002009-09-18T18:35:38.614-05:00Dear Dr. Wes - I realize this is totally OT. But ...Dear Dr. Wes - I realize this is totally OT. But - as a reasonably intelligent person (even though I'm a retired lawyer) - I've been following the health care reform debate carefully. My brother the nephrologist refuses to discuss it with me (I think he's afraid it will give him a heart attack). I wish that a serious medical blogger like you (or perhaps someone else) would tell me Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18943510.post-52515525402583376562009-09-18T13:24:19.035-05:002009-09-18T13:24:19.035-05:00Wes,
You thnk this is a good point? Then we ca...Wes, <br /><br />You thnk this is a good point? Then we can't tax people with Medicare and social security tax? Or if you own a home, the community can't levy a property tax?<br /><br />Call it what you will; it could be called a user fee for when you get in a car accident and get taken to the nearest hospital you won't be getting taxpayer subsidized care. This seems like a very Keithnoreply@blogger.com