NH health groups oppose higher smoker premiums

CONCORD – Several health advocacy groups are opposing a bill aimed at bringing New Hampshire’s insurance laws in line with President Barack Obama’s health overhaul plan because they disagree with a provision that would allow insurers to charge smokers thousands of dollars more for coverage. State law already allows insurers to make tobacco use a factor in setting rates for individual insurance plans. Under the federal law, insurers could charge smokers covered in the small group market up to 50 percent more as well as long as individuals could offset the increase by participating in smoking cessation programs. Insurance department officials and representatives from several insurance companies told the House Commerce Committee on Thursday that they support updating New Hampshire’s insurance laws to match the federal law, but the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association and American Heart Association opposed it. They argued that the higher rates would make insurance unaffordable to low-income smokers.