Quebec to impose tax on unvaccinated

[Sparko]

The unvaccinated get sicker and get sicker longer. They overburden the health care system, preventing others with other diseases from getting the care they need. They generate more virus and provide a greater potential for mutations that can do an end run around the treatments we have - as omicron has done.

I think one of the reasons Canada is considering a tax is that they have a national health care system. The government pays for about 70% of canadians health care needs according to Wikipedia. So the government has an interest in recovering the extra cost the unvaccinated induce. It is only fair they recover that cost from those making the choice that is generating it rather than force the entire population to bear it.

It's a dangerous precedent, charging more to people who are more of a burden (sicker) than others in a system who's purpose is to provide equal and 'free' treatment for all citizens. Once that happens it is no longer free healthcare is it?

[oxmixmudd]

It's a dangerous precedent, charging more to people who are more of a burden (sicker) than others in a system who's purpose is to provide equal and 'free' treatment for all citizens. Once that happens it is no longer free healthcare is it?

I think you are right there is the potential for a precedent that could be abused. At the same time, those refusing their civic responsibility to others are often fined or otherwise punished depending on the severity of the consequence. Given the larger the percentage of the population that is unvaxxed the more covid deaths there will be, I would say the consequence of that irresponsibility is about as high as it gets. A mitigation is required.

[Thoughtful Monk]

It's a dangerous precedent, charging more to people who are more of a burden (sicker) than others in a system who's purpose is to provide equal and 'free' treatment for all citizens. Once that happens it is no longer free healthcare is it?

Sorry, Sparko, we already get this now. At my work every year, they talk about how the experience of the current year is affecting next year rates. By experience they mean who used insurance. I think in 2021, we actually had a small drop in our premiums because people didn't use the insurance in 2020.

Of course, the more people that are sick and use insurance, the higher the cost and thus premiums go up. Of course, there is some inflation in there too. My premiums didn't change much this year but that's probably because inflation hadn't really kicked in yet at premium calculation time. Based on what I just wrote, I'm predict a good-sized jump for 2023. After all, got to pay for all those Covid tests that are now covered by insurance.

I think the same applies to Medicare and Medicaid as well. Would apply even if we ever adopted single-payer.

[Sparko]

Sorry, Sparko, we already get this now. At my work every year, they talk about how the experience of the current year is affecting next year rates. By experience they mean who used insurance. I think in 2021, we actually had a small drop in our premiums because people didn't use the insurance in 2020.

Of course, the more people that are sick and use insurance, the higher the cost and thus premiums go up. Of course, there is some inflation in there too. My premiums didn't change much this year but that's probably because inflation hadn't really kicked in yet at premium calculation time. Based on what I just wrote, I'm predict a good-sized jump for 2023. After all, got to pay for all those Covid tests that are now covered by insurance.

I think the same applies to Medicare and Medicaid as well. Would apply even if we ever adopted single-payer.

Yeah but that is insurance, not universal healthcare and the cost is spread among everyone in the case of medicare, not a tax on the sickest because they are putting a burden on the system. As I said, the way most insurance hide it is to give a "discount" for non-smokers, etc. That way it doesn't look like they are charging smokers more, just giving a discount to those who don't, wink wink.

[mossrose]

Quebec has backed down. Good!


https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montr...ixed-1.6334828

Quebec Premier François Legault says his government will not go ahead with a proposed tax on the unvaccinated, in order to protect "social cohesion" in the province.

Legault made the announcement at a news conference Tuesday, where he also eased restrictions on gyms and sports activities.

The tax, first announced in January by the premier, would have imposed a monetary penalty on Quebecers who are eligible but who refuse to get their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.




Legault says while his government has a bill ready to go, he's decided not to table it after seeing "growing discontent" in the population.

"I understand that this divides Quebecers and right now we need to build bridges," said Legault. "My role is to try to bring Quebecers together to stay united as a people".


Still, Legault denied that he was backing down due to demands by organizers of a protest planned for Thursday in Quebec City. He said he had already begun to have discussions "last week" about scrapping the tax.

Interim public health director Dr. Luc Boileau confirmed during the news conference that he had not been asked whether he approved of the tax.

[Thoughtful Monk]

They say a broken watch is still right twice a day.

[Mountain Man]

They say a broken watch is still right twice a day.

Unless it's a 24 hour timepiece, and then it's only once.