Due to studies suggesting vegetarians have stronger immune systems and are 40% less likely to get cancer, as well as recent outbreaks of E.coli traced to a Vermont slaughterhouse, PETA is urging Blue Cross of Vermont to lower insurance rates for vegetarians, while increasing those for meat eaters.
To make the point, PETA’s Executive Director Tracy Reiman sent a letter to Bill Milnes Jr., president of Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Vermont.
“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,” Reiman wrote.
“By giving your policyholders a financial incentive to go vegetarian – and penalizing those whose meat-based diets fuel our nation’s worst health problems – Blue Cross Blue Shield can save millions of dollars in the long run as your members begin to require fewer cholesterol-lowering medications, chemotherapy treatments, and diabetes drugs,” the letter concluded.
But according to Kevin Goddard, vice president of external affairs for Blue Cross, it doesn’t appear they’ll be taking PETA’s suggestion any time soon.
“Under Vermont law, we would not be allowed to vary rates based on the dietary and nutritional habits of various members.” he said.
Along with a “guaranteed issue” law that requires insurers to offer coverage for all persons in the state, the Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration web site also lists a “community rating,” which stops the companies from making a person pay more for their coverage because of age, location or health condition.
Photo Credit: jenn_jenn on Flickr under Creative Commons license.
You know this article has made me want to change the way I live…..
….and start wearing fur
How could Blue Cross know for sure whether or not your a vegetarian?
I think vegetarianism is a healthy way to eat if you do it correctly and eat a variety of foods, but most people that I know who are vegan or vegatarians do eat nor look very healthy.
I think their lack of protein makes them more succeptible to brainwashing and joining morality elitist cults.
You have to wonder if the whole veg movement is a religious cult.
E. Coli comes from the intestines of animals. It contaminates food when the feces of animals touches the food. That’s why there is significant risk eating rare meat because about 1% of meat is feces (due to the slaughter process). Vegetables become contaminated when they are exposed to manure or animal carcasses.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act does NOT prohibit discrimination based on lifestyle; the protected classes include race, color, national origin, sex, age, and religion (some state statutes prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.)
Maybe part of the reason veg*ans are so much healthier and wealthier is because we educate ourselves and choose a lifestyle that is consistent with the reality of food production, consumption, physiology, and the law. It never ceases to amaze me at how angrily non-veg*ans react to any lifestyle that challenges their self-riteous beliefs. In my experience, veg*ans also have the best attitudes: LIVE AND LET LIVE which is why we don’t eat other living beings.
Doesn’t that ignore one basic fact that anyone can claim they are vegetarian? There is no possible way for an insurance company to go through my diet and verify whether I am or not, so that’s just a bad proposal from the get-go.
C’mon people, are we gonna start charging amputees less because they have less body to examine? Or start cutting rates for any woman who has a hystorectomy, since she won’t need pap smears any longer? Give me a break, I like veggies too, but I live in reality (unlike the people behind this movement.) If this passes in any state, there will be no end in sight to this malarky.
E. Coli comes from intestinal bacteria. Spinach doesn’t have intestines. It was contaminated from factory farm animal feces.
Gluttony makes people unhealthy, not meat!
Eating ONLY vegetables makes people unhealthy.
Eating ONLY meat makes people unhealthy.
Not eating meat(same for vegetables) goes against natures plans for you. Is PETA telling us to mess with Mother Nature’s Plan?
Stop ruining delicious taste of meat for the people that like it.
That is fine if you don’t eat it, but don’t force your way of life on me. I don’t try to cram a steak in your mouth, so don’t try to cram your shit into mine.
Respect my beliefs and i will respect yours. If you don’t we have a problem… Which I am more than willing to solve for you.
Wow. Lots of emotion. If your comment does not show up, it was probably edging on abusive or used some fairly colorful adjectives some would construe as offensive. Careful how you word things, so your comments can appear and be part of the discussion! Thanks.