President Obama has wasted no time advocating for a plan to restructure the current health care system in America.

According to healthreform.gov, this is a comprehensive plan aimed to present coverage to those who could not previously afford it, bring down the costs of health care, improve upon current systems like Medicaid, and protect American citizens by ensuring that insurance companies are more accountable in order to avoid discrimination.

Though the president is trying to make the details of such a significant policy change transparent to the public, his administration is facing great scrutiny from all directions.  According to advocates for this proposed policy, it is attempting to balance the needs of the uninsured with the steady concerns of the millions of Americans who already have insurance plans.

Objectively, this new policy claims to offer better quality health care, more access, and a guarantee of affordability.

Yet the debate over this proposed plan is dominating newsrooms, websites, and the daily conversations of the American people. Town hall style meetings of citizens and their representatives are being held all over the country.

Many of these discussions have turned into shouting matches often lacking diplomacy, respect, and full knowledge of the facts, adding to the anxiety many people may feel over reform.

People are concerned about the details of health coverage.

The health care needs of Americans between the ages of 50 and 64 are growing. Many are worried about not having proper care and increased costs for medications that accompany the ailments of aging.

As such, there is a large number of Americans who are opposed to the proposed health care reform.

Amidst these arguments the voices of young people over health care reform are either nonexistent or being drowned out. The evidence of this lack of concern and knowledge is present right here at North Carolina A&T.

When one student was asked about his thoughts on health care reform he replied, “I don’t even have personal insurance … why should I be concerned?”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates the number of people uninsured in this country to be 46 million. Of these 46 million people about 30 percent are Americans between the ages of 18 and 34.

Considering this, it would seem that the level of concern among young people would be greater.  

However, many students are not fully informed, or concerned about healthcare reform.

“I know nothing about that, not even in my interest … I think there are better people out here in the world to take interest in that than me,” senior Trey Flythe said.

The nonexistent presence of young people in this debate over health care reform and insurance may cause the effects of other people’s decisions to rest on their shoulders in the coming years. 

Yet, having quality health coverage helps to effectively and efficiently handle emergency situations, and to lower prescription and service costs. North Carolina A&T, as mandated by the state in 2006, requires that all students either have insurance through the school or verify that they have personal plans.

Through the school insurance policy, at the cost of $283.50 for a semester plan, students have access to $750 for outpatient prescription drugs and $300 for general wellness coverage, all without deductibles or copays. 

Janet Lattimore, the Health Educator for the university, has been working at A&T for 20 years. She deals with students on informing them about plan options and general health education. According to Lattimore there are benefits of having A&T’s insurance.

“The student insurance plan is like a standard insurance plan,” states Lattimore, “If you have the school plan you can come in and see the physician, get any lab tests you might need, and pharmaceutical care, all covered, but if you have to go outside of the health center plan you run into needing to pay deductibles.”

“Right now we only take school insurance, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t see that student it just means that the student has to pay out of pocket, the key though is to have insurance … Students are generally well informed about whether they have insurance or not, but what all is covered, probably not because they do not take the time to read or rely on their parents,” said Lattimore.

Darnetta Mack, the Student Insurance Coordinator for A&T, shares her sentiments.

“It’s just an adult thing to do. If you have coverage you should be responsible enough to first investigate and see what is and what is not covered by your plan. At least pick up the brochures and read it so that you can be informed of what is available to you.”

If students have questions or concerns about insurance options they can go to Sebastian during the new hours of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., weekdays only. The information is also available online, in the registrar, the library, and other various locations on campus.

Being informed about health care, whether it pertains to insurance, benefits, or reform is vital to understanding policies that affect all Americans lives. If passed, the national health care reform policy will affect students, their parents, siblings, and their future children.

Perhaps if students begin being concerned with health insurance on campus, learn what health care is, and what reform may mean for their futures, many may discover that there is a reason to care about health care.   

• Alessandra brown