U. hikes rates for spouses

Health insurance rates for married students and their spouses have increased by over $1000 this year, although individual students' rates have dropped. Last year married students could purchase the University's health insurance policy for $2179 per couple -- this year the cost is $3270 for the student and their spouse. Single students can purchase the policy for $820 -- down from $940 last year. The University's policy changed prices after they switched insurance carriers last April in compliance with a graduate student study. The Graduate and Professional Students Assembly commissioned Wharton graduate students last spring to determine whether the University could offer a better policy for less money, according to Michele Grimm, Graduate Student Associations Council president. But Grimm said at yesterday's GSAC meeting that she has received many complaints from married students who feel the new prices are too high. The issue will be further discussed at the Graduate and Professional Assembly meeting tonight, according to GAPSA President Alan Orsi. "The main concerns are the spousal rate, the child rate and the cutback on prescriptions," Orsi said last night. "I think a lot of spouses and their children shopped around to find a better rate. They don't need to buy this policy." The new policy costs $900 extra per child, whereas under last year's policy an entire family plan could be purchased for $3231. The old policy provided students with benefits they were not using, according to Martha Brizendine, who served as chairperson of GAPSA subcommittee which commissioned the Wharton study. Brenzadine at yesterday's meeting that she believes the new system is better since the student receive a lower price and spouses "have other options." Grimm also said at the meeting that SAS compacts between teaching assistants and professors had not been signed by all SAS teaching assistants this year. Last year GSAC and SAS agreed that professors and teaching assistants would sign compacts that outlined the graduate students responsibilities, Grimm said. She added that GSAC will be looking further to determine why the compacts have not been signed. Donald Fitts, SAS associate dean of graduate studies, said the agreements are voluntary and graduate students can still sign the agreements. Today's GAPSA meeting which will address the new health insurance policy will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Ben Franklin Room of Houston Hall. An explanation of the new policy will precede the meeting at 5:30.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.