On Our Mind: Michelle’s Law protects sick students

Cartoon by Taryn Trousdale

For some students, the only affordable method of having health insurance during college is to remain on their parents’ policies until the policy’s cut-off age. But what happens if you have to drop out due to a major illness?

Prior to October, dropping out of college for any reason would result in the former student being dropped from their parents’ policy. However, thanks to a new law passed early last month, college students on their parents’ insurance policies can relax.

The law, known as Michelle’s Law, allows college students to remain on their parents’ insurance policies if they have to suspend their college studies due to a major illness.

While the new law is a good thing, there is a problem with students’ awareness of its benefits.

When the law was passed, it received little attention from the media and, therefore, remains unknown to most college students.

We believe college campuses across the country should take steps to inform students of Michelle’s Law—and the awareness should begin with campus health facilities. If nothing more than a pamphlet about the law offered to patients at the Student Health Center, we would like to see some acknowledgement of the law by the campus community.

At the same time, we would like to recognize Congress and President Bush for passing the law. The current administration has received poor approval ratings over the last several years. However, we would like to note that without support from Congress and the president, this law would not have passed. We should recognize their achievements at a time when they are often being recognized for their mistakes.

The passing of Michelle’s Law ushers in a new protection for college students. Still, the law will not be effective until students are made aware of its existence and benefits.