Kaiser Health News
Smoking has its risks – but in California, higher prices for health insurance probably won't be one of them. The federal health law allows states to charge smokers up to 50 percent more for a health plan – but legislation is moving forward in the California legislature that will make sure that doesn't happen. And unlike other efforts around the country to alter the law, this is one coming from a Democrat. The Affordable Care Act is supposed to remove discrimination in the pricing of health insurance for things like gender and a person’s medical condition. And some say a tobacco surcharge creates a new category of discrimination that singles out smokers.
