House Bill 575 has gotten plenty of attention because it would allow the concealed carrying of guns at previously banned places like college campuses.
What’s gone largely unnoticed is that the bill would also have a major impact on how universities fund their student health centers. Students whose families already pay for health insurance would be able to opt out of the fees that fund those centers.
The representative recommending the change says it’s not fair to charge families twice for healthcare.
But according to UM System President Mun Choi, funding student health centers would be difficult without student fees.
“If it didn’t come from student health fees, we would have to raise tuition or take money away from scholarships that we provide to students with financial need,” says Choi. “So, it would be taking resources from one set of activities to fill another important need.”
The bill passed in the House earlier this month, and is scheduled for a Senate Hearing today.