Confusion Over BSU Mandatory Health Insurance

Student Body Wondering Why

By: ERIN SUNDVALL

Underneath all of the controversy about the mandatory health insurance BSU’s student senate passed last April, it seems like a good idea. Health insurance is meant to protect students and the U.S. population from harmful events that cannot be predicted. The U.S. population has a choice in the matter. The student senate has made the decision for the student body and is now under scrutiny.

A quote from an email sent to BSU students on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011 by Barbara Eriksson-Capes states, “By requiring students to have health plan coverage, the University ensures all students have access to medical and mental health care and can maintain good health, which is essential for academic success.” On Oct. 28, Joe Vito Moubry and Sarah Shepherd of BSU’s student senate met with a group of confused students to explain their decision and why it has taken so long to inform the student body.

United Health Care Student Resources conducted a one-hour presentation to the student senate mid-April on the policy. “A study was shown to us that stated there is a lower drop out rate for students with health insurance,” Shepherd claimed when asked from an attending BSU student what information they were presented before making this decision.  The student senate was also told that 50 percent of nation wide campuses make health insurance a requirement.

The email that was sent out to BSU students on Oct. 18 was raised as a concern.  According to a BSU student attending the press conference, the one-week time frame that was given for students to find adequate health insurance or sign up for the mandatory policy was “ridiculous.”

Another topic raised at the press conference pertained to answering the question “do you have health insurance?” seriously. A quote from BSU’s interim vice president of student development and enrollment stated if a student lies about having health insurance it would “question their integrity.”  An attending BSU student pointed out that “questionable integrity” will not stop students from lying to save themselves from not being able to register for spring 2012 classes and money.

BSU’s mandatory health insurance policy is through United Health Care Options PPO.  According to the online insurance policy brochure on the UHCO Web site, all students that are taking six or more credit hours are “required to enroll in this insurance plan unless the request for waiver form is completed and accepted.”

An overview of the required insurance policy includes: coverage that can be dealt with exclusively at the BSU health services. A screening for Chlamydia, HIV and Gonorrhea and birth control are included in these exclusive services.  To make a visit to the hospital or clinic, students must have a referral from health services to a preferred provider.

According to the United Health Care brochure for BSU, dental and eye are not covered by this insurance.

I am a BSU student and receive health insurance through my parents. I believe that everyone should have health insurance but do not understand why MnSCU or BSU needs to know this information.  In the future, BSU’s student senate and administration need to use their resources in a more efficient way.  Informing the student body well before a major change in policy or scheduling will help confusion like this not repeat itself.

Erin Sundvall is a student at Bemidji State University with a major in marketing communications. Expected graduation date is May of 2013.