Last fall, the Student Organization successfully negotiated the Aetna Student Health Insurance forgive Starting next fall, about 270-320 low-income students from the university will participate. This great achievement, after years of support by the Political Latinxs United for Movement and Action, provides peace of mind to many low-income students across the ground. This is an important step, but the fact that these negotiations had to take place requires more scrutiny and deeper introspection. In addition, these negotiations culminated only in the program’s four-year test run. This means that future low-income students will not be covered by insurance under this new policy. Universities need to make sure that the next generation of low-income students are protected and insured. Students do not have to worry about how to pay for health insurance or medical expenses.
It is important to first recognize the outcomes and implications of this new grant. This is a significant achievement of student-led governance and has a positive impact on many low-income students who may rely on various forms of needs-based assistance in paying tuition. Therefore, they may also have a hard time buying health insurance. cost Over $ 13,000 in four years, as required by university policy. Understanding the scope of the new grant is just as important.The grant first started as a resolution suggestion At a meeting of the Student Council in the fall of 2021, we asked the university to approve $ 1.5 million annually to cover health insurance costs based on Aetna Student Health for qualified students in and out of state. The university has agreed to a $ 1 million annual health insurance grant.
Despite all the positives, healthcare may remain out of reach for many low-income students. Thousands of former low-income students cannot afford to have to graduate from a debt of $ 13,000 or more because they cannot buy insurance. There is also the question of whether current students have access to this health care.In Charlottesville, students visit Student Health Building, which provides various medical services free of charge. However, many students, especially out-of-state and international students, can continue to struggle to insure when seeking care outside Charlottesville. Similarly, insurance It acts as a discount plan for services such as eye care and dentistry, but is not a replacement for other medical insurance plans such as state Medicaid and private insurance plans.
As a lucky low-income student who can attend college with a full scholarship, including health insurance, I know that the hardships of making a medical visit go beyond health insurance. I have Aetna Student Health Insurance, but with a $ 350 annual deduction, I couldn’t use the insurance outside of Grounds. It didn’t have to worry about government-issued insurance that was only available in my hometown.My state’s Medicaid program may not have a range of healthcare providers to choose from, but my healthcare visits and prescriptions are often price Of $ 0.under EtnaFor the first time, I am paying for an expensive out-of-pocket medical visit. Many low-income college students take on jobs just to pay for tuition, so you may not have to worry about prepaid insurance costs, but additional care costs can still be a burden. there is.
In reality, access to healthcare is still barrier Not only for students, but for people all over the country.Most low-income earners Vulnerable For illnesses, especially chronic illnesses that continue to overwhelm the healthcare system Globally..Most of these illnesses Preventable,However that’s all 30 million uninsured Americans lacking access to annual health care — can provide early detection and save lives — our current system is unfair.Moreover, not everyone is subject For state insurance, or jobs It provides healthcare.These barriers, and medical costs-this is rise Every year in a row — uninsured Americans often discourage seeking medical care.
We are still in a pandemic Discussion Healthcare accessibility human rights.. Despite a person’s political tendencies, it is basically unethical to believe that a person must work, achieve, or succeed in order to be healthy.With vast knowledge of existing medicine, only selected groups upper-Citizens of the class sometimes need access to life-saving resources and services.
It is unreasonable to expect universities to resolve the national health crisis, but it should not have taken until the university’s awareness and prioritization of the health of the most vulnerable students became a pandemic. .. However, the university has allowed past and present students to take out past insurance loans to former low-income students, working with people who are struggling to pay for medical expenses, and a four-year trial of health insurance grants. Students, especially those who are struggling to pay for college or struggling to repay their debt, should not be forced to endanger their health.
Yssis Cano-Santiago is an opinion columnist for The Cavalier Daily. She can be contacted at opinion@cavalierdaily.com.
The opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of Cavalier Daily. The columns represent the views of the author only.
