University Daily Kansan, October 22, 1982
Page 3
Cost ails student health plan
By VICKY WILT
Staff Reporter
Many KU students cannot afford the student health insurance plan available through the University, insurance response to this issue offers agency offering the plan said recently.
They said a decrease in KU's participation for the program this year was due to changes in the team.
Dennis Calvert, account executive representing Keystone Student Insurance Co. of Carrollton, Texas, said Keystone had offered an extensive coverage plan to KU students for five years. The company is losing participation in inflation is making the premiums too expensive for many students, he said.
Eddie Robertson, president of Keystone, said about 3,000 KU students were covered under the plan. The plan was initiated two years ago with about 3,600 students insured under it, and last year it dropped to 3,000.
"THIS IS in direct relation to the premiums going up. We feel that a campus this size should be insuring about 5,000 students," he said.
"This plan right now for a single student costs $330 a school year. I would say the average across the United States today is somewhere in the neighborhood of $150, so the difference there is somewhat significant."
Calvert said this was an increase of
about 30 percent over last year's premium.
Robertson said, "With the cost being that high it does exclude what we call the traditional student that cannot afford to purchase that plan.
"Getting the premiums down to the neighborhood of $150 or $200 would be more valuable or at least economical to the student," he said.
BUT, HE SAID, the plan was worth the money because a similar plan from a health insurance agency would cost about $300 a month.
"The health plan here for the students at the University of Kansas is by far the most extensive plan that we write for the country," he said. "It is far beyond and above most other schools, which creates some problems."
The plan covers all a student's medical expenses at Watkins Hospital, including hospital rooms and prescriptions. If a student goes to any other hospital there is a $25 deductible, which means that the student pays the first $25 of the bill and the insurance company covers the rest.
Traditionally, student health plans do not cover all medical expenses, Rob
Calvert said that was why the cost of other student insurance plans was less.
said. But that decision would be up to the Student Senate Health Advisory Board, which chooses the yearly insurance plan.
CHANGING THE PLAN would encourage more student participation, he
Mindy Brown, board chairman, said that the board had not met this year and that she could not speculate about next year's plan.
The company will not be able to offer the previous plan if it continues to suffer high financial loss because of a weakening participation, Robertson said.
One solution to the problem would be to offer a two-tier plan — one tier would be similar to the current plan, and the other would offer less coverage at a lower rate. Robertson said. Keystone uses these proposals to the health board.
THE BOARD WOULD LIKE to see a plan that has more incentive for students to use Watkins' facilities, such as the school because it is less expensive, he said.
Robertson said students told Calvert during registration that they wanted health insurance but that they could not afford this particular plan.
Nationwide there is a decrease in insurance plan coverage.
"We're seeing a decline in campuses where there is a large amount of financial aid because a student on the campus may need to have health insurance," Robertson said.
Sponsor says blood drive successful
The American Red Cross blood drive was sponsored by the IFC, which registered participants, typed forms and contributed cookies and orange juice to the effort, said Gino Bassi, vice president for public relations.
Living groups at the University of Kansas donated 948 pints of blood during a blood drive on campus this week, Mark McKee, Interfraternity Council vice president for campus affairs, said yesterday.
"I think we had great support, not only from the fraternities and sororites but also from the residence halls and scholarship halls," she added. "I don't know all of all four living groups; it wouldn't have been an effective blood drive."
The 946 pints of blood donated were short of IFC's goal of 1,000 pints, but Strippel said the drive sponsored by IFC last year.
Strippoli said the cold weather might have been responsible for IFC's failure to reach its goal.
Lessig will be missed KU administrators say
By DARRELL PRESTON
Staff Reporter
Lessig announced yesterday that he would become commissioner of the Mid-American Conference. He has not been pronounced he announced his resignation of the KU post.
KU athletic director Jim Lessig will be missed because of his interest in students, administrators said yesterday.
Chancellor Gene A. Budig said an announcement would be made Monday morning about the naming of an interim athletic director and the formation of a search committee to find a new athletic director.
David Adkins, president of the studentry, said he had been asked to serve on the committee. He said the search committee that recommended Lesniq was interested in finding an instructor who recognized student needs.
"I think Jim Lessig took greater strides to build bridges with students during his tenure than many of the teachers that were here for years," Adkins said.
Lessig, a native of Canton, Ohio, and a graduate and former athletic director of Bowling Green State University, has been KU's athletic director since May.
"IT WAS not an easy decision, as my
short time at Kansas was meaningful." Lessig said yesterday at a press conference held to announce his new job. "My decision was based solely on my admiration and feeling for the MAC."
David Ambler, vice chancellor for student affairs and member of the Kansas University Athletic Corporation board, said the relationship between the athletic department and the college improved since Lessig came to KU.
"I'm very disappointed that he is leaving us. I am somewhat surprised and upset by it."
See related column page 14
He said that he would urge the group that would look for a new director to duplicate Lessig's attitude toward students.
FOR MANY members of the KUAC board, which oversees the operations of the athletic department, the an-
nouncement as a surprise and a disappointment.
David Dinnen, professor of French and Italian and KUAC board member, said he had not become well acquainted with the short time Lessig had been at KU.
Marilyn Aimworth, professor of law and a member of the KUAC board, said she had been called to testify.
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Spring Rush
There will be a Rush informational meeting for any women interested in participating in the Formal Spring Membership program.
- Talk to women in Sororities
- Pick-up registration materials
- Question and Answer session
Thursday, October 28th
7:30 p.m. Kansas Union Ballroom
sponsored by the K.U. Panhellenic Association
NO Cover Charge
before 10 on weekends
- 5 - 8 pm TGIF 2 for1 on Food & Drinks
11 - Midnite Happy Hour Fri. & Sat.
appearing this weekend
danceable funk sets start at 9:30