Why Ohio University forces international students to purchase its health care plan is like a doctor’s signature — impossible to comprehend.
Because OU does not have a way to verify the coverage of foreign health care plans, it requires international students to purchase insurance from UnitedHealthcare, the university’s provider. That results in their paying for two plans but essentially receiving one service.
Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi said one of the main reasons for the requirement is that international students’ plans often do not cover the cost of shipping home a deceased student’s body should he or she die in the United States. But the likelihood of such an event happening cannot be high enough to justify forcing them to pay for two plans.
Rather than burden international students with payment for two insurance plans, OU could make an effort to inform and educate them on why they should purchase UnitedHealthcare and drop their foreign insurance. It would allow those who are covered properly to opt out and those who are not to opt in.
U.S. citizens who attend OU do not have to purchase the university’s health care and can keep their own plans. If international students are not afforded the same option, the university will just create an environment of discrimination.
Both Student Senate and Graduate Student Senate have passed resolutions recommending the university rescind the discriminatory practice. Thankfully, it seems administrators are taking heed, but do not get your hopes up.
Lombardi said there is a 99.9 percent chance the university would be able to end the requirement for next year. Although that sounds like a strong probability, it also leaves some uncertainty. We hope administrators will work toward making it a 100 percent chance.
With next year’s premiums rising $43 for students, the university needs to distribute some preventative medicine. Otherwise, it will just weigh down international students with unhealthy monetary burdens.
