Risk adjustment not unfair

Some readers did not understand the example of commercial fishermen and schoolteachers in my letter “‘Tough luck’ is not a reasonable approach to chronic medical problems” (June 23). That example shows that insurance companies charge premiums that are risk-adjusted. To do otherwise would discriminate against low-risk customers. This is not a false analogy; risk to the insurance company is risk whether it arises from illness, nature, personal choices, or any other factor.

Insurance companies establish “highrisk pools” for unfortunate people with pre-existing health conditions, Pool members share increased risk at higher premiums. My message to those so afflicted would never be “Tough luck.” We live in what may be the most charitable society in the world (by personal choice, not by federal government edict). Organizations such as the Alzheimers Association, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, etc., do wonderful work to provide life-saving research and assistance.

When the federal government inserts itself into the insurance business by preventing companies from recognizing pre-existing conditions, I strongly object. It is not in their charter to discriminate against any group, even healthy persons. Where did I get my “radical” ideas? Read “Democracy in America” by Alexis de Tocqueville. A free copy in .pdf format is available online. Michael McLane Gales Ferry