Obamacare and the Oval are about to come together.
Starting this January, students will be able to stay on their parent’s health care plans until age 26, and all students will be required to have some sort of health insurance.
An estimated eight percent of students will be affected by the requirement of health care, according to the CSU health network.
“For students without health insurance, any injury could end up costing thousands of dollars and can affect a student’s ability to stay in school,” said Mackenzie Whitesell, ASCSU executive director of health.
CSU student financial services have advocated for the mandate, because they are now able to include CSU health insurance in the student financial aid package.
As the effects of Obamacare reach the entire state, Colorado residents are using Connect for Health Colorado to purchase new healthcare plans. Larimer county residents can also use Larimer Health Connect, which provides in person assistance for those who need it.
Richard Cox of Larimer Health Connect discussed the positive reaction he has seen so far from those who are now able to afford health insurance due to the Medicaid expansion.
“We all need to get treated for sickness or injury at some point,” Cox said. “(And) now the poverty line will have access to health care.”
Cox expressed his appreciation for the new law that addresses pre-existing conditions.
“In the past, through no fault of your own, (a pre-existing condition) would preclude you from ever having health insurance,” Cox said.
Now, it is illegal to turn a potential patient down for this reason.
Though many expect positive effects from the implementation of these new health care policies, the recent government shutdown has left some questioning what will happen.
“We’re in the darkest part of the cellar,” said CSU Political Science Professor Paul Krumby. “It could change at a moment’s notice.”
If these health care policies continue unencumbered, it is still somewhat unclear how they will work themselves out because they are unfamiliar to campus.
“This is brand new stuff,” Krumby said. “It’s a clear picture of a muddy pond.”
Collegian Collegian City Beat Reporter Caitlin Curley can be reached at news@collegian.com.
