Volume 125 Issue 2
kansan.com
Monday, August 20, 2012
OLYMPIC DREAMS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012
PAGE 41
HEALTH CARE
New health care plan may help students
ASHLEIGH LEE/KANSAN
For many students who had just graduated and use prescription medication may no longer be under their parents health insurance. This comes from President Obama's Affordable Health Care Act which was passed back in June.
How health care is changing in Kansas
25,000 young adults under 26 gained insurance coverage
313,085 people with Medicare received free preventative service or annual wellness visits
394 people previously denied coverage because of existing conditions are now insured
$26.6 million to help the state build the health care workforce and support public health
Source: Healthcare.gov, numbers based on most recent data
Obama's new health care plan might be controversial, but it could also be beneficial for students struggling to get health insurance.
VICTORIA PITCHER editor@kansan.com
Students often have troubles working out the details when it comes to getting various medical needs covered by insurance. The first week of July, not even two months after graduation, Stephanie Schremmer, recent grad from Cardwell, Mo., went to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription. When she got to the pharmacy, they told her she wasn't able to buy the prescription on her dad's insurance
"It was frustrating; Schremmer said.
The full price of the prescription was only $11, fortunately.
While she was kicked off her parents' insurance
plan, a new federal mandate allowed her to get back on it, which has been helpful during her job hunt.
Schremmer said the mandate is positive in that students have more time on their parents' insurance, but she doesn't think it should be pushed on those who can't afford it.
"This is a news pullquote, it can be from 2 to 6 lines. This is a pullquote,it can be from 2 to 6 lines."
"We should regulate insurance companies instead of people," Schremmer said.
determining that the fine was actually a "tax," meaning the federal government has the power to enact it.
Individual mandate is considered to be the big fuss of President Obama's Affordable Health Care Act, which was upheld June 28 by the Supreme Court. For students, the mandate means they can stay on their parents' insurance until they are 26.
Richard Levey, a University professor in constitutional law, said that various provisions in the law also make health insurance more available and less costly.
"It's a massive, big, big deal."
Levee said.
Ashley Jimerson, a senior from Lawrence, is currently on her parents' policy. She said she thinks it's a good thing that the individual mandate was passed.
"Everyone should have the chance to have health care," Jimerson said. Jimerson graduates in December at the age of 22. If she is unable to find a job with health benefits, she can stay on her parent's insurance for another four years.
Individual mandate requires that everybody has health insurance, and if they choose not to have insurance, they are fined. The individual mandate was passed after
Ryan Neuhofel, doctor and owner of NeuCare Family Medicine, 346 Main St. in Lawrence, said the
SOMEBODY SOMEONE this is a job
health care reform,
which is 1,000 pages of provisions
and statues, is more about health insurance than it is about health care. Neuhofel's office does not go through third party insurance to bill
patients because he thinks dealing with insurance companies lowers the quality of care.
"I saw both doctors and patients were losing." Neuhofel said. About 60 to 70 percent of the patients Neuhofel treats are uninsured.
Neuhofel said doctors can build lasting relationships with patients when they don't have to worry about a patient's insurance changing and are no longer being covered.
Another provision in the mandate will prevent insurance companies from denying people with preexisting conditions.
Levey said the argument people had with the mandate was never a constitutional issue, but about the government moving toward a welfare state.
"This issue goes to heart on what kind of a society we live in," Levey said. On one side of the issue, society should take care of its individuals; on the other side, the individuals should take care of themselves.
Parts of the mandate will not go into effect for a couple of years. However, some of it, like the age 26 rule, will change immediately.
—Edited by Maegan Mathiasmeier
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BRYANT/KANSAN
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tence with neighbors can be a challenge, especially between University of Kansas students and permanent Lawrence residents.
The initiative kicked off Thursday with about a hundred volunteers from six fraternities canvassing the Oread neighborhood with welcome bags. Volunteers, paired with city representatives, placed 2,000 bags on doorsteps with city ordinance information ranging from bike parking and house party protocol.
"A big part of going to school is learning how to live on your own," said Joe Monaco, a spokesperson for the event. "We are providing just some basic information about how
The Good Neighbor program, created in unison by the University and the city, aims to strengthen relations between students and residents by providing students with information about good citizenship.
"This is the first in a set of many steps," said Tim Caboni, vice chancellor for public affairs at the University and a Good Neighbor co-creator. "We are extending an olive branch today, but it does not end here.
policies as their hometowns, Monaco said.
Brad Hess, a freshman from Wichita and Delta Upsilon Fraternity program volunteer, said he was impressed by the University's initiative.
The Good Neighbor program is the first to fortify the University's connection with the city.
"People really care more here," Hess said. "It makes me feel good. It just makes me feel safer and it feels nice to be joining that community."
While no immediate events are planned for the future, Monaco said the University will continue the initiative throughout the year
CLASSIFIEDS 10
CROSSWORD 5
available at www.studentnarris.
ku.edu/gooodneighbor.
CRYPTOQUIPS 5
OPINION 6
Trying to be more neighborly? Follow the advice of the Good Neighbor program.
-Parties: Notify neighbors before throwing a party. They'll appreciate you cluing them in.
-Parking: Do not park in the yard or in front of fire hydrants or driveways. Doing so can result in a fine.
-Pets: Animals need to be kept on a leash within the city.
-Sidewalks: Sidewalks must be clear of ice or snow within 24 hours.
-Bicycles: Bikes cannot be locked to trees or other non-designated structures.
-Safety: Lock all windows and doors, including your car, and keep electronics and valuables out of view. Call Lawrence police if you see something suspicious.
SPORTS 12
SUDOKU 5
TARA BRYANT/KANSAN
Sarah Glass, a KU journalism school graduate, performs under the name Miss Conception on Friday night for students at the Hawk week Block Party. Miss Conception is the leader of Vibe Tribe KC. a performance company from Kansas City.
Source: Good Neighbor program
All contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2012 The University Daily Kansan
If you're looking for some extra cash this semester, attend the Part-Time Job Fair, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Kansas Union.
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Sunny skys with west northwest winds
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