In addition to receiving the education BYU–Hawaii has to offer, all full-time students automatically have the university’s Student Medical Benefit. “All students registered with 8 credits of on campus classes and more per semester are automatically enrolled in the BYU-Hawaii Student Medical Benefit with no additional charge,” says the university’s website.
But because of the Affordable Care Act, also called Obamacare, some students said they are already thinking about independent health insurance. Alice Pollock, junior in ICS communications from Washington, is one of these. However, she said, “People probably don’t think about it until it’s an issue.”
Obamacare has brought the issue of health insurance to the forefront of American politics. Currently under federal law individuals are covered by their parent’s insurance until age 26. Sterling Hansen, sophomore in English education from California, said, “In my mind, that’s the one good thing Obama has done.” At 26 children must either find independent insurance, or, if they are a full-time student, choose the University’s Student Medical Benefit.This benefit is free and is an option for students even if they still take advantage of being covered by their parent’s health insurance.
Pollock added most students are young and healthy, so they most likely don’t think they need to worry about it until the time comes to branch out from their parents or school coverage. Controversy surrounds Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act, including a ill-prepared roll out and website, people are now wondering if they can trust President Obama.
The Associated Press reported on Dec. 9 that “The debate over President Barack Obama's health care law has gradually morphed into a broader discussion about whether he is to be trusted.” It went on to say “A Quinnipiac University survey of registered voters last month found the share of Americans who thought Obama was honest and trustworthy had fallen 10 percentage points over the fall, to just 44 percent.”
Robert Blendon, a Harvard professor of health policy and political analysis, reports AP, says the health care launch "turned out to have moral dimensions as well as policy dimensions.” Obama "really has to restore confidence in himself. He's got an agenda for the rest of his term here,” added Blendon.
But changes to Obamacare aren’t likely to happen, says the Washingtonpost.com. It reports, “Despite the heavy level of comments, the Obama administration has shown little inclination in changing the regulation.” It goes on to state, “Requests are currently winding their way through the legal system.”
AP reports “for years, the debate over the health care law was largely theoretical, with many provisions not taking effect until 2014. Now, reality is setting in on a matter that is intensely personal for every American.”
Emily Georgeson, a senior in social work from California, thinks people are more inclined to agree with Obama’s changes in health insurance when it is referred to as the Affordable Care Act. When people label the health care forms as Obamacare, people are less likely to support them.
Georgeson also stated, “Honestly, there are a lot of complaints about what Obama has done, but health care couldn’t have stayed the way it was. Something had to change.” In addition she said students should be considering these things as they plan for the future, but should make sure they are completely informed about details before they come to a decision.