GUEST COLUMN: Health insurance should be optional
Two weeks ago The Statesman reported that Associated Students of Utah State University has a bill currently tabled that could make school expenses rise dramatically for those who do not have health insurance. This includes me because my family has never had health insurance. Although I think health insurance is very important and something that can save many people from serious financial difficulties, it is not the school’s right to decide how I pay for my medical expenses.
The policy paper for the resolution explaining the reasons for the bill states that “19 percent of Utah State University students do not have health insurance or do not know if they have health insurance.” This came from a survey conducted on campus. “80 percent [of students] believe having insurance is important to peace of mind, and 73 percent personally feel that all students should have health insurance of some sort.” This is a main focus of the bill being presented to ASUSU.
The entire idea of health insurance rests upon the idea that accidents happen. Illnesses happen, and major medical costs can be acquired very quickly in one trip to the emergency room. Most people understand the value of health insurance and the safety net it provides. However, if should be our personal decision if we have health insurance or not.
There are many reasons for declining health insurance. It is our choice to respectfully decline health insurance and at that point we are responsible for our medical costs and the following consequences. Some people simply cannot afford it, others qualify for help from the government and choose to not to go through a company, while others may set aside their own savings plan for medical expenses. There are many people who do not visit a doctor for many years, sometimes up to 10 or even 15 years or more, because they do not have a need to see a physician. In their case is it less expensive to merely set aside their own funds for medical expenses? Why should they be forced to pay for insurance that they don’t need or want?
The university health plan has been “in a death spiral,” the bill states. If more people do not buy health insurance from the school the premiums will rise dramatically for those who do have health insurance with the school. If the approximate 2,700 uninsured students at the university were to buy insurance through the school it many offset some of the cost and maintain affordable prices.
The main concern is obviously what it will cost the students. The health insurance offered by the school shows that currently it would cost a single student $1,527 for fall and spring semester alone (www.usu.edu/health/insurance.htm). If somebody was to be in school through the summer it would cost $2,136. This would be an average tuition increase of 30-35 percent for students who had to get insurance through the school. Tuition costs are already rising steadily and are a complaint of many students. Much of this is due to lower attendance, over which most students have no control. The school has to make up the difference somewhere and it is coming through our tuition. But unlike enrollment this is an issue where students can make their voices heard. It was stated in the original article that we have “resources for books and pizza,” and yet can’t afford health insurance. Last time I looked a book or pizza did not cost $1,527. Many people are already under their parent’s insurance so it would not affect them until they turn 24 or get married, but when they hit that point it will be an extra cost from their pocket book.
Although a committee would be formed to decide waivers of exemption for those in extreme financial need, how do you judge if someone is poor enough? I don’t know many college students who are not struggling with finances. If a student does not have insurance at this point a major factor is most likely that he or she cannot afford it. This is an issue that continually affects the decisions we make.
Another issue is how the school will track the students. Will students be placed on academic probation if they do not have proof of insurance? If an individual drops his/her insurance during the semester what will be the consequences? How much time will be spent tracking students and insurance where it could be spent helping students in other areas of school? These are just some of the questions that have not been answered in the bill presented to ASUSU.
Living on your own and attending college brings a whole new side of responsibility that most students have not had before. Our responsibility lies with our decision about how we spend our time and money. Those of us attending USU have decided to put our money into an education and that is what the school is here to provide. Many other opportunities are provided while attending school and it is our choice if we take advantage of them or not. Health insurance is one of those choices presented to us through the school and should remain such; an option in front of us that we can choose to take part in or respectfully decline. That is our decision, not the school’s.