Health Insurance for students?

Several public universities across the United States have begun mandating that students have a health insurance plan before enrolling in classes. At schools such as the University of Connecticut, Ohio State University and the University of California, students who do not already have a health insurance plan must purchase one of their own, or a plan through the university.

Virginia Tech only requires international students to purchase a health plan, according to the Student Insurance website. However, Tech has health insurance plans available through GM-Southwest.



Old Dominion University has gone in the opposite direction and no longer offers health insurance plans because only 400 out of 20,000 students have taken advantage of the offer, despite the fact that approximately 4,000 students do not have health insurance, according to the Associated Press.



Tech’s stance on this matter, falling between the extremes of Old Dominion University and Ohio State University, is the proper course of action. By providing access to health insurance options and not mandating a health insurance purchase, the university is giving students an opportunity to take care of themselves. The university also does not risk denying a quality education based on the cost of health insurance.



Virtually all private colleges and universities require health insurance plans upon admission. That is fine for a private school, but public schools are supposed to have cheaper tuition and fees. By adding a health plan requirement, the public schools are taking a step toward elitism and losing their identity. In an era when tuition is climbing at state universities, this is one additional cost that is not necessary for students.



There are many larger implications to this move. By requiring students to purchase expensive health insurance, public universities risk limiting the population that is able to attain a quality higher education. By doing so, the margin between the elite and the non-elite in society risks growing larger.



The universities that are mandating health insurance for students should focus on another problem. Around 45 million people in the United States do not have health insurance, many of whom also do not have a college education. Rather than attempt to save money, these universities could be researching ways to address this staggering problem.



Universities across America should promote the purchase of health insurance. Health insurance should not be an obstacle for students who want a quality education.