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NEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />
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MSU has implemented a mandatory health insurance policy requirement for freshmen. If they can't&nbsp; prove they have health insurance the university will automatically enroll them in a plan and add the cost onto their tuition bills.<br />
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MSU is the first in public university in Michigan to require mandatory health coverage. <br />
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MSU officials say they are simply following about 25% of the public universities across in the country by mandating health insurance coverage. Their intent is to protect students who might get sick and have to choose between paying for medical treatment or college.<br />
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Other public universities in Michigan recommend that students have health insurance and even offer options, but do not mandate it. <br />
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MSU's plan is being phased in. Freshmen and other students who were new to MSU in the fall have until Feb. 29 to offer proof or be enrolled in the Aetna plan through MSU for $940 this semester.<br />
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Republicans on the state House Appropriations Committee's Higher Education Subcommittee say the move is the wrong one for two reasons: It tacks on more cost for college students already struggling to pay high tuition bills and reeks of &quot;Obamacare.&quot;<br />
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University officials say MSU is simply joining 25% of other public universities across the nation that have such plans, and the measure shows their concern for students' well-being. They sent letters to incoming students in summer 2011 about the change.<br />
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The state constitution gives MSU autonomy, but legislators control state aid to universities.<br />
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Under the new policy, students have to log on to an MSU website and show that they have health insurance. If they don't, they have the option of buying one of several plans. If they don't choose one, MSU will enroll them into a plan from Aetna, which costs $940 for the spring semester and about $1,500 for the full academic year.<br />
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Because health insurance is required for all, students can use financial aid -- from grants to loans -- to pay for it.<br />
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The policy started with this year's freshman class. Students have until Feb. 29 to show they have coverage or be enrolled. About 8,300 of the 9,000 members of the freshmen class have responded that they have health insurance. The other 700 either don't have insurance or have yet to respond, MSU spokesman Kent Cassella said Tuesday.<br />
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Each class that enters MSU from now on will fall under the new policy. MSU officials say their studies show about 90% of each entering class has insurance.<br />
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MSU is the only public university in the state to make the requirement.<br />
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NEW POLL QUESTION:<br />
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Should state colleges and universities require mandatory health insurance coverage for their students?<br />
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Yes<br />
No<br />
Undecided<br />
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TO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />
http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-state-colleges-and-universities-require-mandatory-health-insurance-coverage-their-stu<br />
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(To enter your comments click on &quot;Add new comment&quot; after you vote.)<br />
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PREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />
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Should Michigan require welfare recipients to perform community service to receive benefits under the conditions of the bill?<br />
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Yes . . . . . . . . 93%<br />
No . . . . . . . . . . 7% <br />
Undecided . . . . . 0% <br />
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NO COMMENTS WERE MADE ON THIS POLL QUESTION:<br />
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