Spring Break
Health care reform may prove costly for students
Andy Chu
Issue date: 2/28/07 Section: News
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With the January announcement of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's statewide healthcare reform, the cost of premiums for medical plans are expected to rise significantly over the next 10 years making the uphill struggle for students even steeper.
According to a Blue Cross representative from the domestic student insurance plan hotline, out of approximately 30,000 students that attend San Jose State University, about 275 students are enrolled in the plan offered through the California State University system. The rest are either supported by their parents, receive benefits from work, or go without coverage entirely.
Students on campus were not surprised by the announcement of increases due to the statewide healthcare reform.
"Well I never expected insurance costs to ever go down or even slow down," said Kimberly Prodany a senior majoring in psychology. "I think more students who are supported by their parents need to understand how expensive coverage can get. I never thought about it until I filed for graduation and found out my coverage was going to be cut off immediately following graduation."
According to the Blue Cross, most healthcare plans cover students and dependents until graduation or certain ages between 18 and 25.
Even with healthcare plans that do support students, the costs don't disappear - someone must pay the cost of the increase in premiums.
According to Schwarzenegger's new reform plan, the state seeks to collect an average of four percent from all businesses with 10 or more employees. The reform calls for taxpayers to support state subsidized plans for individuals who cannot afford coverage on their own.
Along with tuition costs, SJSU students who support themselves did not take the news lightly.
Michelle Olsen, a junior majoring in political science, looks ahead at even more financial difficulties to come.
"I have a full load of classes and I work full time to pay my rent and receive my benefits," Olsen said. "It looks like healthcare is infinitely inflating to a point where it won't be accessible to anyone. I guess I can expect the state to take even more out of my paycheck to help pay for healthcare for others while at the same time I'm struggling to get by."
According to a Blue Cross representative from the domestic student insurance plan hotline, out of approximately 30,000 students that attend San Jose State University, about 275 students are enrolled in the plan offered through the California State University system. The rest are either supported by their parents, receive benefits from work, or go without coverage entirely.
Students on campus were not surprised by the announcement of increases due to the statewide healthcare reform.
"Well I never expected insurance costs to ever go down or even slow down," said Kimberly Prodany a senior majoring in psychology. "I think more students who are supported by their parents need to understand how expensive coverage can get. I never thought about it until I filed for graduation and found out my coverage was going to be cut off immediately following graduation."
According to the Blue Cross, most healthcare plans cover students and dependents until graduation or certain ages between 18 and 25.
Even with healthcare plans that do support students, the costs don't disappear - someone must pay the cost of the increase in premiums.
According to Schwarzenegger's new reform plan, the state seeks to collect an average of four percent from all businesses with 10 or more employees. The reform calls for taxpayers to support state subsidized plans for individuals who cannot afford coverage on their own.
Along with tuition costs, SJSU students who support themselves did not take the news lightly.
Michelle Olsen, a junior majoring in political science, looks ahead at even more financial difficulties to come.
"I have a full load of classes and I work full time to pay my rent and receive my benefits," Olsen said. "It looks like healthcare is infinitely inflating to a point where it won't be accessible to anyone. I guess I can expect the state to take even more out of my paycheck to help pay for healthcare for others while at the same time I'm struggling to get by."
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