must follow
Next week, students will go to the polls again. This time the issue does not revolve around candidates for some obscure office. This time students will be deciding whether to increase the student health fee.
The health fee is currently $55 per semester. Proponents of the fee increase want to raise the fee to $70 per semester to offset the high cost of on-campus health services. Student Health Services points out that, while the fee has not risen since 1993, the cost of services has. SHS estimates it costs $62.50 per semester to treat each student, and the difference has been taken from SHS reserve accounts.
“It’s unrealistic to think we can provide the same service in 1998 at 1993 costs,” said Kevin Patrick, director of Student Health Services. “If there’s less and less money, there’s less and less availability of services.”
The Daily Aztec believes it is important to have a full account of where our money goes, regardless of the agency. In this case, the agency is Student Health Services. While it is undoubtedly time for the student health fee to come into line with current costs, it is necessary to make sure those fees don’t get wasted.
The Aztec has heard numerous concerns about SHS. Some people have voiced concerns about SHS employees who neglect to show up for work on a daily basis. They are also concerned about those on staff who may have failed to perform their jobs correctly and yet are not removed from duty. In light of these situations, is the SHS staff one of good enough attendance and quality to merit a fee increase?
Other people are more interested in the quality of care and the services offered. It is vital for SHS to maintain a large variety of health care services for students at an effective cost. Preventive medicine is a major part of these services because study after study has proven that preventive care saves money and results in better health in the long run.
Students must realize, however, that SHS is not a full-service health care provider. Many students may be used to receiving a full range of services by being part of their parents’ health care plans. SDSU’s health organization does not nor should it have the resources to compete with health maintenance organizations.
The Aztec endorses the health fee increase and encourages students to vote for it on April 30 or May 1. Additionally, The Aztec hopes that SHS maintains its level of service and continues to offer quick, safe and organized preventive care and symptomatic treatment.
If SHS reforms some of its procedures, adds features like a nurse hotline and evening hours, and assures that a working and quality staff is maintained, it is certainly deserving of a larger budget.
