Brina Barrientos
If there was to be a health fee increase, a male psychologist will be quickly added to the health center staff.
As each new semester approaches students are forced to pay all those fees that come along with enrolling.
There is the ASO fee, the parking permit, the student representation fee and the $11 health fee.
By paying that health fee students have the access to a variety of services on campus.
They offer treatment of acute medical problems, over the counter medications, blood pressure screening, first aid, psychological services, family planning services and physical exams. Students can even get urine pregnancy tests for $5, urine dipstick for $2, which is used to screen for diabetes, kidney disease and urinary infections, immunization shots, TB skin tests for $5 and STD and HIV testing.
Each student has the opportunity to set up a 45-minute confidential appointment with Deborah Barber who can counsel students with any academic or personal problems. Although she does not prescribe any medication she can determine whether to seek more help.
Every semester a student has up to eight free sessions with Barber.
As well as free parking during the winter intersession and summer school, the health fee is lowered. During the summer sessions, the student only pays once and can be cared for during both sessions.
There is no immediate date for this increase but is in the works.
It will be a difficult adjustment to make because it will affect all of the schools in the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD.)
From May 1, 2006 to May 7, 2007, the health center had a total of 1,116 visits and a total of 3, 832 visits the entire year. Beth Benne, R.N., who directs the health center, says this isn’t actually a large number since the average school population is 18,000.
For the last eight years the health fee has remained at $11.
As the cost-of-living increases, health fees can increase by $1 but has not.
The state allows schools to charge $16 per semester and $13 for winter and summer intersessions. Pierce charges $8 for these intersessions.
“It is benefiting to other people. Eleven dollars is no big deal,” said Dana Parlevliet who is in her second year at Pierce. She said most people don’t have insurance and can take advantage of it.
If there was to be a price increase it will only maintain services rather than cut them according to Benne.
The first thing she would do to improve the health program is hire a male psychologist.
Although it wouldn’t necessarily bring more male students, Benne believes it will be helpful. She would also like to add clinics and bring in a health educator.
Unlike the other schools in the LACCD, the school itself maintains Pierce’s health center. The other campuses have contracts with other agencies that run the program.
For example, Valley College’s health program is sustained by Valley Presbyterian Hospital.
A couple years ago, the nursing program required students to receive the hepatitis shot. Rather than getting shot at their school, the nursing students came to Pierce to get the shot for $6. Valley Presbyterian was charging $50.
Through Council Connections, which is a non-profit organization, Benne receives “amazing discounts” on products.
“They are doing a good job at Valley,” said Benne. “The nurse there [Sonia Auza] really cares.”
Although it is unknown when the health fee might increase, Benne says she has had support from Robert Garber.
She has not taken any action yet because she would have to present this issue to the board of trustees.