Health care plans are what the doctor ordered

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ASMSU has started the 2010 fall semester on a serious note. MSU’s undergraduate student government has put together health care packages for MSU students based on the individual health care needs and budgets of students.

Students can customize a plan according to what type of health coverage they might need during their stay at MSU, allowing students to see a doctor locally instead of having to return home or pay out of pocket to nearby health physicians.

“It was really done to allow students choices,” ASMSU association director Kara Spencer said. “It’s different from the university plans that can be kind of a cookie cutter as far as what you get.”

The university does offer some form of student health care, but the fact that a student organization is taking the initiative to tackle the issue of health care on its own is a progressive statement.

Each semester, undergraduate students pay $18 to ASMSU, and it seems our money was put to good use. Looking out for students should always be the main goal, and ASMSU has taken a responsible approach to its role.

The plans can cover anything from general office visits to major medical necessities at a lower or comparable price than the Aetna-based service plans offered by the university.

“This was part of an initiative launched by ASMSU in order to give more options to students,” Justin Eptsein, ASMSU’s Academic Assembly chairperson said. “The idea is that it’s flexible.”

Finding the balance between what really matters and what matters for a single night is an achievement. Drake was fun, Lil Wayne was memorable, but affordable health care is awesome.

Health care is something that helps all students instead of the select few that attend a concert. Putting forth the effort to organize and execute a health care plan hints at potential the student body only is vaguely aware of.

It’s easy to see ASMSU only as a training ground for future politicians, but in this instance, the organization acted like a responsible governing body.

Hosting a successful concert for MSU students is good for stress release, but even more so is the thought of knowing that even if we’re away from home, we can hold out hope that someone is attempting to look out for our best interests.

Part of governing is allowing constituents a measure of relief from some big issues. Providing access to affordable health care packages is one of those issues.

Students have other things on which we need to focus our attention. The dues we pay to ASMSU should alleviate some of the burden. In this case, our money was well spent.

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