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After Debate, FSU Continues Health-Insurance Requirement

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By ADAM EMERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 2, 2009

Florida State University trustees voted recently to keep requiring health insurance of their students, even though the university's president wanted to suspend the policy as the economy worsens.

The board voted 5-3 late last week to keep a policy FSU has had in place for the last two years. It's a policy unique to FSU; no other public university in Florida mandates health insurance of all new students.

FSU President T.K. Wetherell asked trustees to suspend the requirement for one year to see if the economy rebounds or if other universities join FSU, said Lesley Sacher, the university's student health director.

But a majority of board members agreed it's better to ensure students have a safety net in case a medical emergency hits their pocketbook and forces them to consider dropping out.

Meanwhile, the board asked Sacher to examine whether the policy has helped to keep students in school, as she has advocated.

Students have had to show their family's health insurance meets FSU's demands. Among them: a provider network for care in Tallahassee and coverage for prescriptions, pregnancies and mental health.

Other universities have considered following FSU's lead, but so far none have taken that step.

Now that more students participate in the plan, Sacher said, insurance premiums have gotten less expensive. The university's own health plan now costs about $1,440 a year, but two plans for the next school year will cost students $900 and $1,250 respectively.

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285.

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