I am a normal college student; at least that’s what I like to think. I do not claim to have it the worst, but I do have to support myself. I pay for my car, rent, and, yes, tuition all by myself. This puts me in a bind; I pay for things that are necessary first, my food and rent, and I put off those unnecessary payments such as tuition. I tend to think that I am not the only one in this particular situation.
Last week, after saving up my money, I decided to go pay my bill, but as it turned out I did not have enough money. You see the University of Cincinnati requires that all students have health insurance.
This is not a problem, I said to myself; I have health insurance, so all I have to do is fill out the waiver. What came next is entirely my fault; I take full responsibility for my actions.
Apparently the deadline for waiving student health insurance was in September. I missed my deadline, and therefore was forced to pay for insurance, when I am in fact already covered. Even so, what if I wasn’t covered?
Looking at the date, you may notice that it is now mid-November, and this quarter shall end in early December. That means that I am required to pay almost three hundred dollars, almost a month’s rent, to get insurance to cover me until winter quarter.
This the most appalling thing I have ever heard. So what happens if I pay for my classes, and buy my books, and don’t pay the insurance? I don’t receive my grades.
I realize that UC has a purpose, a reason for such demands as health insurance. What if a strain of anthrax should reach the school? The University doesn’t need to have to worry about my doctor bills; after all they would be outrageously expensive.
My argument is this. School is supposed to be for everyone, not just for those who can afford insurance. I just feel that since I have not needed to go to a medical professional in five years maybe health insurance would be a waste of money.
After all I am not a car, and it’s not the law for me to carry insurance on myself. It seems as if the University is making it as difficult as it can for the average Joe to attend school.