Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Michigan Student Assembly wants MANDATORY student insurance

Now, mind you they're not saying the University of Michigan should cover the costs, no, they are saying ALL students should be REQUIRED to get at LEAST a basic health insurance plan which the University will provide for a mere $2,183 per year. Students used to buy a lot more of this coverage before it hit the magic $1000 mark in 2002.

Are you guys serious? REQUIRE students to carry health insurance that will simply be (and oh so conveniently) rolled into their tuition and financial aid costs? What if they simply don't WANT the added cost? Is this still not a free state where someone over the age of 18 can decide these things for themselves? YCD fails to see ANY need of mandatory at cost to students insurance.

We understand Michigan Student Assembly President Mohammad Dar's contention that foreign students MUST buy health insurance at $81 a month. But Mr. Dar, the best way forward isn't to saddle everyone with mandatory insurance (which we can clearly see is a plan to bring down premiums for those opting in by mandating everyone opt in) but to release foreign students from having to buy a socialized plan.

The plan actually calls for students applying for more state and federal (you know YOUR tax dollars) financial aid to get this health insurance.

Here's the kicker: aid would not be guaranteed.

Sorry Michigan Student Assembly, this plan is tantamount to putting a dress on a pig. Maybe a few more free market classes in the B School would do the job, and you don't need insurance to sit in on those.

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