General Discussion

While there may be situations where it's warranted, I don't have the imagination to come up with those situations. I am assuming the idea of raising the price is to make it hurt to not be vaccinated to the point that they get vaccinated to alleviate the financial suffering. And in cases where they still refuse, the increased premiums would help off-set some of the costs, and in theory prevent the insurance companies from increasing premiums across the board. I suppose we could make the increases a tax rather than just more profit for the insurance company. Those tax funds could then be used to help cover COVID treatment costs.

For that to have any real affect the increases would have to be pretty substantial. Given the mindset of the average anti-vaxxer, how many will cancel their healthcare insurance rather than pay that fee? From what I've seen, most people don't think multiple steps ahead. In their mind they are winning. They are not only saving money, but they are taking stand on their misguided beliefs. So, now we end up with a bunch of uninsured people who are more likely to get COVID. I can also imagine anti-vaxx pseudo "insurance" scam plans similar to those ministry healthcare plans popping up. This won't just affect adults making these decisions either. Those adults have children who will be uninsured. These kids will get hit double time from not having insurance and also most likely not being vaccinated. I don't like seeing children suffer because of their parent's poor decisions. All of these uninsured people will end up costing us more money without the benefit of increasing vaccination rates. At least that is how it plays out in my head.

Even if we limit the increases to an amount that it doesn't push people to the point of dropping their plans, I'm certain a large number would do it in principle. The amount of funds collected would be minimal to the point of having limited effect on paying for the extra costs, and would likely have minimal effect on vaccination rates.

I would much rather use the carrot method. Carrots are not only delicious, but also a great source of beta-carotene that helps improve our foresight. People like money. Give refundable tax credits to people who are vaccinated. Sure that will cost money, but compare that the potential savings it would have if we can snuff out COVID for the most part. Actually, I would probably make it something more immediate than just tax credits to counter people who have a problem thinking more abstractly. Maybe send out checks immediately. People seeing their neighbors get a $500 check (or whatever) for getting the vaccination would be a huge motivator. Some people might even have a change of heart on their "deeply held" convictions about vaccines.

I apologize for the incoherent stream of thoughts above.