2008 Woodie Awards
Headache for some, insurance for all
Peter Kaspari/News Writer
Issue date: 9/18/08 Section: News
For the first time in the history of Simpson College, it is now required of every attending student to have health insurance.
The decision to require health insurance for all students was made in the spring semester of last year as a result of work done by students, health services and the campus administration.
According to Jim Thorius, vice president for student development, Simpson was in the minority of colleges by not requiring it.
"Health care is an issue that affects students and can bring costs to students who are ill and can interfere with their ability to complete their work," Thorius said. "We decided we needed to find a way for students to get health insurance."
Rita Audlehelm, director of health services, agreed with Thorius on having every student covered under a plan.
"We saw students without health insurance, and it's a barrier to them getting the care they needed," Audlehelm said. "To get their education, they need to be healthy."
Audlehelm said the new insurance provider, Aetna Student Health, is "a lot better than our old system."
Thorius estimated that approximately 96 percent of Simpson's students had health insurance prior to the requirement that all must have it. For those who didn't, Simpson had their own health insurance plan.
In years past, coverage was only required of athletes and international students.
This year, students were automatically enrolled and had to waive the school's insurance in order to erase the charge.
Many other Iowa colleges require their students to have health insurance.
Audlehelm said there are many advantages to students having health insurance.
"I don't want them to compromise their health or education because they don't have health insurance," Audlehelm said.
As with most new policies, the transition from not requiring health insurance to having it required for all students had some setbacks. However, things are now back to normal.
The decision to require health insurance for all students was made in the spring semester of last year as a result of work done by students, health services and the campus administration.
According to Jim Thorius, vice president for student development, Simpson was in the minority of colleges by not requiring it.
"Health care is an issue that affects students and can bring costs to students who are ill and can interfere with their ability to complete their work," Thorius said. "We decided we needed to find a way for students to get health insurance."
Rita Audlehelm, director of health services, agreed with Thorius on having every student covered under a plan.
"We saw students without health insurance, and it's a barrier to them getting the care they needed," Audlehelm said. "To get their education, they need to be healthy."
Audlehelm said the new insurance provider, Aetna Student Health, is "a lot better than our old system."
Thorius estimated that approximately 96 percent of Simpson's students had health insurance prior to the requirement that all must have it. For those who didn't, Simpson had their own health insurance plan.
In years past, coverage was only required of athletes and international students.
This year, students were automatically enrolled and had to waive the school's insurance in order to erase the charge.
Many other Iowa colleges require their students to have health insurance.
Audlehelm said there are many advantages to students having health insurance.
"I don't want them to compromise their health or education because they don't have health insurance," Audlehelm said.
As with most new policies, the transition from not requiring health insurance to having it required for all students had some setbacks. However, things are now back to normal.
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