From an interesting article on Wal-Mart's response to the ACA:
Wal-Mart Stores' U.S. employees will pay between 8 percent and 36 percent more in premiums for its medical coverage in 2013, prompting some of the 1.4 million workers at the nation's largest private employer to say they will forego coverage altogether.
Oh noes, 13% increases? That's unbearable! That's immoral! That's... less than five bucks.
For its most popular plan, which covers individuals, the payment per bi-weekly paycheck is going up by $2, or 13 percent. Other plans will see larger increases as the world's largest retailer, known for low prices, tries to control its own costs.
Don't get me wrong, I know what it's like to live on a shoestring. Heck, I worked as a supervisor at this very same retailer. I know how bad the pay is and how over-worked the staff are. However, when I read things like this... (follow me past the squigglies)
Harris, a 22-year-old smoker, was set to see his cost per paycheck rise to $29.60 from $25.40. He says he has decided not to sign up for coverage. Given his low income, as Harris foregoes coverage any major medical bills could potentially fall to taxpayers through the government's Medicaid program.
...I wonder if there's any hope for humanity. The irony of giving up insurance because it may cut into your smoking habit is just too much. How do we justify to others our support for government-funded healthcare when there's people doing things like this? How do we combat the self-responsibility narrative when there are people making such poor decisions? This young man's poor (dare I say idiotic?) decision will likely put him on the Medicaid rolls, where he'll be able to smoke to his clogged heart's content while not paying a cent for his poor decisions.
How do we mesh our healthcare for all philosophy with individuals like this? I'm all for caring for those who need help, but I find myself hard-pressed to feel sorry for this guy. Hopefully he will someday come to his senses and realize the consequences of his actions, but in the meantime should we cover his illnesses?