National health reform standards may not cover college health plans

The Wall Street Journal raises the question of whether the notoriously inadequate health plans offered to college students will be covered under national health reform regulations. While these plans are generally inexpensive they typically include caps on coverage and would not meet new standards on how much of premiums must be spent on health care. A study from Massachusetts found that profits were five times higher on student health plans than other insurance. About 80% of US college students are covered by public or private health plans. The article highlights the cases of students who fell through the cracks of questionable insurance often leaving them with massive medical debt. It is important to note that as national reform also includes an option for young adults to stay on their parents’ policies through age 26.
Ellen Andrews