Comments on: Should tobacco companies pay for smokers’ CT scans to screen for lung cancer?

By: Kok Siong Chen

Kok Siong Chen — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:31:06 +0000

In my opinion, no matter who will pay for the CT-scan, the best way is to stop from smoking. Everyone should know smoking is not good for health and it will induce lung cancer.

By: MatthewBowdish

MatthewBowdish — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:32:52 +0000

I agree that this is a bone-headed idea given the outcomes don’t seem to show benefit.

However, I like the idea that smokers could eventually be required to pay for their increased health care costs via higher prices for tobacco. There is no reason an employer should pay for their employees’ tobacco-related disease, as is the case now, especially if they can’t fire the employee for engaging in such risky behavior.

Why not charge the tobacco companies for screening & treatment of tobacco-related diseases? Phillip-Morris, Reynolds American, etc, would then pass these levies on to consumers (remember, there is no tax on companies, only consumers/consumption) in the form of a “user fee.” Therefore, societal costs are reduced and personal responsibility is promoted.

By: Doc Stone

Doc Stone — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:44:41 +0000

Since all of my health problems are weight related, shouldn’t Krispy Kreme pay for my healthcare?

By: Marcy

Marcy — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:25:56 +0000

I want land-o-lakes to pay for my liposuction!

By: DrV

DrV — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:25:08 +0000

I want the Frito-Lay company to cover my CABG

By: Happy Hospitalist

Happy Hospitalist — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:30:10 +0000

Young doc is correct. Not only that but you’ll find thousands upon thousands of incidentalomas that have no clinical relevance, but will lead to biopsies, anxiety and expense all of which was completely unnecessary.

Why stop at CT scans of the lung? Smokers are at a higher risk of GI tract cancers and pancreatic cancers and bladder cancer. Shouldn’t all smokers also have free upper and lower endoscopy, CT scan from head to toe and cystoscopy too?

This is unbelievable.

By: Young Doc

Young Doc — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:37:06 +0000

There is pretty poor evidence that early detection of lung cancer even improves outcomes. Screening CTs are not indicated no matter who is paying for them. This is a giant scam on the part of the trial lawyers who get to recoup the percentage of an even larger ridiculous payout.

By: Nuclear Fire

Nuclear Fire — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:06:42 +0000

Harper’s has an excellent website regarding the public knowledge on the dangers of smoking back in 1857-1912. An interesting historical read and a strong indictment against those who claim “we didn’t know” smoking was bad until just recently.

http://tobacco.harpweek.com/

By: R Watkins

R Watkins — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:40:05 +0000

Smokers should pay for all healthcare costs related to smoking.

By: me

me — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:26:03 +0000

nice! fully reimbursed ct scans for the docs, money for the lawyers involved in this lawsuit, and even less personal responsibility for the american patient. everyone wins! …except the tobacco industry.

name another country for me where something this ridiculous would happen.