The US Supreme Court is scheduled to hear cases from companies that want to be able to choose what they'll cover - or not cover - in the health insurance of their employees. Specifically, there are companies that are unwilling to pay for insurance that covers the cost of contraception for women. The basis for this request is that it conflicts with someone's religious values, typically that of the company owner or a controlling interest.
These cases fascinate me. Why? Because I believe that heart attacks, strokes, and cancer are God's way of calling His children back to heaven. So, if you work for me, you won't receive any health care benefits if you have a heart attack, a stroke, or discover that you have cancer. I won't pay for preventive measures, either, such as cholesterol lowering drugs or fitness programs. When the Big Guy calls, you have an obligation to answer (by dying, that is). I'm not about to stand in His way by paying to make you healthy again.
Of course, I'm not serious. Everything in that second paragraph was a joke. I was simply making a point about how UTTERLY DANGEROUS it would be to let employers decide which health care benefits to offer based upon the religious beliefs of some individual or group. You are free to believe anything that you wish. You might even want to make things up in order to try to get out of paying high premiums. You might believe that it makes economic sense to cut health care costs by cutting out some coverage, but this policy is completely unfair to your employees. If they are desperate enough to work for someone who would cheat them out of fundamental health care benefits, they probably don't have many options.
I hope that the Supreme Court will make the right decision and dismiss these cases.
Copyright © 2013 Daniel R. South
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