Fresh Greens

Should Vegetarians Pay Lower Insurance Premiums?

By Maura Judkis

Posted: November 17, 2008

Many studies have offered evidence that vegetarians lead longer, healthier lives. Knowing this, PETA has offered their money-saving solution to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont: Increase your premiums for meat-eaters, and lower them for vegetarians. "Given the latest news about the effects of E. coli on meat-eaters -- and the mountain of evidence linking meat consumption to some of our nation's deadliest diseases -- this change will benefit Blue Cross Blue Shield's bottom line while also helping to ensure that your policyholders don't flat line," wrote Tracy Reiman, executive director of PETA.

Kevin Goddard, vice president of external affairs for Blue Cross, dodged the issue by pointing out that the discrepancy is illegal under Vermont law. It would also be difficult to enforce - as Treehugger points out, anyone could check the box claiming to be a vegetarian. And what about the flexitarians? Should they get half of a premium cut?

So, here's a poll:

Should vegetarians get lower insurance premiums because they are typically healthier?
Seems fair to me. Why should I pay for other people's heart attacks?
I know plenty of unhealthy vegetarians, and plenty of people who go to the gym before they eat a steak, so I'm not sure.
Totally unfair. PETA has, once again, gone too far.


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It makes perfect sense

Yes, insurance is a pool, but all insurance is risk based.

BCBS already offers "Healthy discounts". A plant based diet is healthier therefore a small premium difference will be make a huge statement and save lives.

Sanjay Jain of DC @ Nov 18, 2008 09:27:15 AM

Insurance is a pool

The larger the membership, the better the costs are spread to cover the higher and lower risks at average rates.

Vegetarians can smoke, drink, and do a lot of unhealthy and risky things.

Meat eaters also eat vegetables and a balanced diet is recommended by all health experts because protein is an essential part of a healthy diet.

You could just as easily say that milk drinkers should pay more because they do not get enough vegetable juice in their diets.

It would make no sense, but neither does it make sense that all vegetarians are more healthy than everyone else.

HillbillyBill of TN @ Nov 17, 2008 18:40:04 PM

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Fresh Greens

Fresh Greens

Maura Judkis is a producer at U.S. News. She writes about the green movement and looks for ways to be an ecofriendly consumer without breaking the bank. Send her your green tips.

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