Fat tax?? What next, Big Brother?

[firstdown]

I have also heard the argument that smoking and obess people save medicare money because they die younger.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by firstdown

I have also heard the argument that smoking and obess people save medicare money because they die younger.

Incorrect, because even though they go out, they go out with catastrophically expensive cases.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Incorrect, because even though they go out, they go out with catastrophically expensive cases.

I'm not sure either way, but is there any proof to this? A massive heart attack is pretty cheap when the ambulance arrives and the guy is dead.
On the flip side, those that live longer and get other issues such as memory problems (can't spell alz....), do suck off the government. We're paying medicare and social security, as well as supporting nursing homes...not to mention the MASSIVE amount of elderly people that are taking 10 or more meds a DAY.
I am just not sure either way is more expensive than the other...any one have stats on this?

[BigSKINBauer]

Originally Posted by jsarno

I'm not sure either way, but is there any proof to this? A massive heart attack is pretty cheap when the ambulance arrives and the guy is dead.
On the flip side, those that live longer and get other issues such as memory problems (can't spell alz....), do suck off the government. We're paying medicare and social security, as well as supporting nursing homes...not to mention the MASSIVE amount of elderly people that are taking 10 or more meds a DAY.
I am just not sure either way is more expensive than the other...any one have stats on this?

yeah, we would definitely have to see some numbers but i think in general a fat person does eat (no pun) at the economy more than a healthy person. Fatty foods lead to diabetes and many other health related problems before a massive heart attack that finishes it.

However, i don't have too much of a problem with taxing fatty foods. It leads to greater production of healthier foods by companies. Now it is a personal judgment call on what you think about that.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Incorrect, because even though they go out, they go out with catastrophically expensive cases.

And healthy people just fall over and die on the streets without using the system once.LOL But allot of unhealthy people do not make it to age 65 to get medicare.