On July 27, 2009, Tracy Reiman, Executive Vice President for PETA, sent a letter to WellPoint, a major health insurance carrier. On behalf of PETA, Ms. Reiman requests that WellPoint consider lowering health insurance premiums for vegetarians, while raising premiums for those who eat meat. She cites a study which indicates that vegetarians are less likely to develop certain chronic diseases. She suggests that those who consume meat are driving the increase in health care costs and, as a result, should be financially penalized.

Ms. Reiman feels that health insurance companies, such as WellPoint, should promote the vegetarian lifestyle. In doing so, the overall health of the insureds will improve and fewer animals will be harmed. To date, PETA has not posted any response from WellPoint.
The letter to WellPoint can be viewed at http://www.peta.org/mc/NewsItem.asp?id=13362.