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Cornell University Health Fees

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FAQ

Plaintiff

Cornell University has implemented a policy of charging a $350 "health fee" to students who opt out of the university health insurance.

Under the Affordable Care Act, students must have insurance, but making those already covered pay an extra fee to skip the school's policy is unfair.

vs.

David Skorton - President Cornell University

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[-][+]My resolution
9 years ago

Lauren W. (Neutral)

As a student I think that you have a good argument, and I personally know of Universities that allow students to opt out of their health care program (for free). for example, If a student already has a healthcare plan they go to a website (the school provides the link) enter in their current health information, and they are opted out. Students do this once a year for the entire time they are in school. The school even sets a deadline for the students to have it done before the school year starts that way when one registers it taken off their bill. (Most Universities let students add charges (books, meal plans, housing) after the school year has started, so if one ever needed to add insurance, after opting out, they could.

[-][+]My resolution
12 Points
10 years ago

Shaneisha W. (Neutral)

Rather than issuing an extra fee of $350 to students already enrolled in a health insurance policy outside of the university's health insurance, which comes off as a punishment to students who choose not to receive the university's plan, the university should issue a neutral policy that affects students insured using either the university's or an outside provider for health insurance. As Brian W. suggested, the purpose for the fee is probably to encourage more students to enroll in the school's plan, however, how the university is going about this is quite troublesome. The most important issue should be whether the entire student body is insured, regardless as to by whom.

One route that you can go as to trying to find a solution is to go to your student representatives on your campus and express your concerns, as I am sure that you are not the only person who feels this way. Ask your representatives what you can do, as well, to work to find a solution that would benefit both the student body, as well as the university. Many times, a petition showing the university how much support is behind an issue is enough to make an institution look over things

[-][+]My resolution
10 years ago

Brian W. (Neutral)

For the sake of argument, I will assume that Cornell University administration needs to raise funds for the Gannett medical facility. While there would be several options available to them - e.g., a fee for all students, higher fee for services used, increased tuition, seeking additional donations, etc., - they have elected to charge a fee to those students who do not participate in their Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). I would guess by this action that their goal is to encourage more students to enroll in SHIP, but the resultant perception is that it unfairly punishes those who do not. Vice President for Student and Academic Services Susan Murphy has stated that everyone will now participate in supporting campus health and that among the goals are for affordable care and equitable access. I think there are other ways to achieve these goals that might be received as a fairer solution. I propose: 1- that fees for services be increased 5% - placing a slightly higher burden on students who use Gannett, but still affordable, 2 - that the remainder of the increase needed be charged as a "student health fee," distributed equally among students who participate in SHIP and those who do not (a flat fee that all pay, presumably less than $350), and 3 - that the University engage in a targeted fund raising effort to solicit donations for Gannett, which will be used half to replenish reserves and repay debt and the other half returned as a refund to students (in equal amounts to all) to offset the "student health fee."

[-][+]My resolution
10 years ago

Who K. (Neutral)

Repeal Obamacare – Repeal Obamacare to end all the damage it's doing.

[-][+]My resolution – Plaintiff
10 years ago

Tihomir L. (Plaintiff-unverified)

Cancel policy of requiring fee and an apology to the student body.

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