Health care options for students without insurance

With all the news surrounding President Barack Obama's attempts at implementing a universal health care plan, students have become more aware of their own health insurance plans or lack thereof. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, less than three-quarters of the 18- to 24-year-old population had health insurance in 2008. However, for the 28.6 percent who have no health insurance, alternatives are available.

The Student Health Clinic in Kilcawley House is available at no charge to currently enrolled Youngstown State University students. A registered nurse is available weekdays during the semester, while a licensed physician is available by appointment.

Some of the services provided by the clinic are physicals, limited women's health care and minor first aid. If a student needs services such as blood work or X-rays, he or she will have to go off-campus at the student's expense.

Sue Ferrier, a registered nurse in the clinic, said it was founded to "supplement existing services" that were already in existence and to provide ambulatory care for students. She stressed that the clinic is not an emergency room.

In the case of an emergency, the YSU Police Department can be reached by calling 911 from a campus phone. An officer will be dispatched to the caller's location to provide assistance, and other emergency services will be contacted.

Under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, hospitals with the proper emergency care facilities must treat any individual in need of emergency care, regardless of health insurance status, to the best of the facility's capabilities.

A bill for services will likely be issued from the hospital, but some students without insurance may be eligible for assistance in paying these bills. If a person is uninsured and falls below twice the poverty line, he or she may still be eligible for free care at Humility of Mary Health Partners. Substantial discounts may also be provided for those financially below four times the poverty line.

Representatives from Humility of Mary Health Partners are available to help patients assess qualifications and assist in applying for financial assistance programs.

As far as the status of health care reform in the United States, YSU College Democrats President Darla Conti said the health care bill is "still in existence, but not being pushed as hard as it was."

"[President Obama] is hoping to at least pass some type of legislation on health care reform," Conti said.

A bipartisan summit on health care will be broadcast live on Feb. 25.