I kinda agree. Most obese people are just lazy, however there are those who have thyroid, or pituitary gland issues that cause weight gain that they can't control. There should still be treatment for them.
We should let the smokers die too. And people who get injured during sports, you took the risk. And no healthcare for people in auto accidents, can't you just stay home? And if you get a cold we should burn down your house to lessen risk of exposure to others.
Next we don't pay for treatment of smoking related illnesses ... or because of alcohol ... or because of accidents during sports. Or illnesses because of old age ... the patient could have killed himself to avoid them. This meme is not only inhumane, it's downright stupid.
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· 10 years ago
Well, there IS an argument for no free healthcare or at least limited/delayed/non-prioritised healthcare for those with smoking-related diseases (except second-hand smoking, of course) and alcohol-related illnesses as these are things you chose to do to yourself, fully aware of the consequences. However, old age and sporting injuries should be covered as they're natural/healthy.
So why should a football player (American football) get free healthcare for his injured groin, torn ACL, and concussion, and yet somebody else shouldn't get it free for *insert X reason here*? He CHOSE to play football knowing these kind of injuries are extremely likely, just look at how long most football careers are. Think the overall average career of a football player is like 6 years. The average for a running back drops it down to 3 years. Its something so taxing on the human body they can only competitively do it for about THREE YEARS. Most obese or smokers take a lot longer than 3 years to mess up their bodies.
Thats why people complain its such a slippery slope to start doing that. First its "well obese people chose to become obese, we won't give them free healthcare or limited/delayed/non-prioritised whatever" then after a while its "well you know smokers choose to do that to themselves too, lets exclude them too"
After a while, "hey you know professional bullriding has an extremely high injury rate, they know that going in, we'll exclude them"
Then its "Well American football and hockey aren't all that much better than bullriding, better move them out too"
"Hm, you know we shouldn't be excluding so many sports while still allowing others. That's discrimination! We better just exclude any and all sports now, just to be safe. I mean they do all CHOOSE to do those sports, knowing the risks."
Of course, I still go by the theory that I shouldn't have to pay for everybody else's healthcare to begin with, but picking and choosing what to exclude is just BS.
I think preventative care and fitness programs should be covered, but if you've let yourself go so bad that you need a bypass (by your own hand, no disease) then yeah. Figure something out yourself or start planning a funeral.
There are some people who can't control their weight, though. Not all obese people are lazy fucks, some have actual health problems that make them gain a lot of weight. I agree that we shouldn't just pay for people whose weight wasn't a result of a disease/health issue, though. Most obese people indeed are just lazy fucks.
Slippery slope.
Also, no such thing as free healthcare, unless you're under 18, (and you have parents that meet an income criteria) or are legally disabled. Most pay for their insurance either through their place of employment, through the government funded program, or they pay out of pocket.
And even those that are disabled because of being obese, won't outright pay for bypass surgery without seeing a dietician and attempting a lifestyle change. You have to prove it's the only option before they'll approve it. And they will take your insurance away if you're non compliant.
The premiums are also higher for those that are obese, smoke and have alcohol related illnesses.
Also, smoking is not the same as playing football. The costs associated with even a major life altering injury, are pennies compared to the cost to treat chronic emphysema or lung cancer or cirrhosis of the liver.
After a while, "hey you know professional bullriding has an extremely high injury rate, they know that going in, we'll exclude them"
Then its "Well American football and hockey aren't all that much better than bullriding, better move them out too"
"Hm, you know we shouldn't be excluding so many sports while still allowing others. That's discrimination! We better just exclude any and all sports now, just to be safe. I mean they do all CHOOSE to do those sports, knowing the risks."
Of course, I still go by the theory that I shouldn't have to pay for everybody else's healthcare to begin with, but picking and choosing what to exclude is just BS.
Also, no such thing as free healthcare, unless you're under 18, (and you have parents that meet an income criteria) or are legally disabled. Most pay for their insurance either through their place of employment, through the government funded program, or they pay out of pocket.
And even those that are disabled because of being obese, won't outright pay for bypass surgery without seeing a dietician and attempting a lifestyle change. You have to prove it's the only option before they'll approve it. And they will take your insurance away if you're non compliant.
The premiums are also higher for those that are obese, smoke and have alcohol related illnesses.
Also, smoking is not the same as playing football. The costs associated with even a major life altering injury, are pennies compared to the cost to treat chronic emphysema or lung cancer or cirrhosis of the liver.