To: Steve Koonin, Al Horvath, Gary Lorden, Tom Schmitt

Subject: Re: Student Health Program

It has come to my attention that the Faculty Student Health Committee has released a report to you in response to the distributed "Questions Regarding the Student Health Care Program." While this report has not been released to the Caltech community, I have read it and spoke with the student members of the committee, in addition to attending one of the meetings myself. While the undergraduates agree with most of the report, there are a few points where our position differs.

The emphasis on communication and surveying opinions is a very high priority for students. The entire student body should be engaged in this process, as it is something that affects everyone. ASCIT would be very happy to assist in the distribution of a survey - we have an online mechanism that can do this very easily.

The major point of disagreement undergraduates have with the Faculty committee's recommendations comes on the first major point, where it is recommended to replace the deductible with a copayment. The motivation for this change seems to be to discourage students to use medical services or, in the words of the report, "get students to use medical services wisely." I haven't seen any evidence that students abused their medical services, even when we didn't have to pay the deductible. Techers are generally rather oblivious to their health concerns and it seems as if the Faculty committee is trying to solve a problem that does not exist.

In particular, there is a large concern among students that a copay system for mental health services could prevent students from seeking needed care. The social stigma is more than enough of a barrier to students seeking mental help, and Caltech should not seek to impose an additional one. If a copayment system is instituted, we would recommend an exception for mental health.

The main concern of undergraduates is not whether the system is copayments or a deductible, it is that out-of-pocket expenses be limited. The jump to a $150 deductible this year was a shock to students, and we would not like to see the cost of health care passed on to us in increasing amounts. On most other points in the report, the undergraduates are in agreement.

Sincerely,

Ted Jou
ASCIT President