Shannon Berry / Roundup
With health care being one of the leading domestic priorities for families, students have to push extra hard not to be left out.
Student health care benefits are continually at risk depending on whether students are full time, covered by their parents, or fully independent.
On top of the $26-per-unit tuition fee, the Los Angeles Community College District assesses a mandatory health fee of $11 per semester.
“The health fee is an access fee to the health center,” said Beth Benne, R.N. director of the Student Health Center, in an e-mail. “It pays for everyone’s salary, all supplies, and medical equipment. We get no money from the general fund. It allows us to see you, examine you and diagnose you if you have a problem.”
All registered Pierce College students, regardless of insurance, are eligible for no-charge or low-cost care at the Student Health Center, according to the SHC Web site.
Jessika Izenberg, a pre-nursing student, currently does not have health insurance.
Izenberg, who previously had health insurance before moving out of state for two years, said she used state-provided health care and free clinics.
She finds the Student Health Center helpful. She utilized the center by receiving a tuberculosis and strep test.
“My health seems to be quite well, but you never know,” she said.
Most students are unaware of the Student Health Center and its provided services.
“Services cover a wide range of needs. There is a small additional fee if we have to put something in you, like an antibiotic, or take something out of you, like a blood test, pap smear test and urine test,” Benne said. “We do general physical exams, tests and counseling.”
Jimi Jefferson, a business student, recently became insured by Kaiser Permanente.
“I pay for my own health insurance,” Jefferson said. “I give my parents $50 a month.”
According to Jefferson, he started to pay for his insurance about six months ago, once he got a regular job.
Benne said approximately 3,000 to 4,000 students are seen each year by the Student Health Center.
“For those students who have no insurance, there is nothing cheaper out there,” Benne said. “We do not provide emergency care, which is why I encourage students to purchase major medical insurance.”
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