By the year 2006, University students could be required to purchase student health insurance, if student leaders have their way.
The Undergraduate Student Government passed a resolution in favor of a hard waiver for student health insurance, which means that uninsured students would be required to purchase a plan offered through Student Health Services. USG joins Graduate Student Senate as a student group that supports a plan that would require uninsured students to buy health insurance.
Dr. Glenn Egelman, health center director and chief physician, spoke in favor of the plan to require insurance during open forum at last night’s USG meeting.
“I truly believe this is of benefit to you,” Egelman said and added that neither himself nor the University would directly profit from a required insurance plan.
Concerns about a required insurance plan were discussed. Some senators wondered about students whose religion forbids emergency medical care like blood transfusions.
The main concern that was discussed was the cost. Egelman estimated that the cost could be about $1200 for University students every year. But no definite cost quotes were available, because bids from insurance companies will not be given to the health center until this Friday, Egelman said. Egelman also said that cost should not be an issue because the University can survey how much students would be able to afford. But a cheaper plan could mean inadequate coverage, Egelman said.
“You can always trim back a plan to cost less,” Egelman said. “That, I think, is how we’ve gotten ourselves into the situation we currently have this year, which is a plan that cost around $1000 that’s not really covering much of anything.”
Sen. Maria Khoury added an amendment to the original resolution that there be “a need-based waiver for low-income students.” The debate about the issue of required insurance began with varying opinions about the plan, but the amendment seemed to satisfy any remaining concerns about the issue.
When the amendment passed with a majority vote, the debate came to a close.
Later during her senator report, Sen. Niki Messmore said Student Health Services will now charge $10 per visit for uninsured students. Dr. Egelman was still present at the meeting, and he confirmed Messmore’s announcement. But Dr. Egelman called the charge “flexible.”
Also during open forum, the associate vice president of the University, Larry Weiss, urged students to ask for increased funding for higher education. A new shortcut added on Monday to the college website lets users send a prewritten message to their state representatives. To tell your representative to give financial support to Ohio colleges and universities, click on the “Advocate for BGSU” button on www.bgsu.edu, Weiss said.
A new resolution was introduced by USG Sen. Maria Khoury that would support the Latino Student Union’s letter-writing campaign to lower flags to half-staff whenever an Ohio soldier is killed in battle. President Alex Wright said he would support the resolution. USG will vote on the resolution at next Monday’s meeting to be held March 21 at 7:30 p.m. in room 113 in Olscamp Hall.
