Editor:

I totally agree with Maria Karlsson on her "UA forcing insurance cost on foreign students" (March 5). Like all international students, I am forced to buy the "damn to hell" insurance policy when I have a cheaper and more affordable one. Now why the hell can't I choose my own insurance group?

Like a lot of students, I work on campus and I pay taxes like most, if not all, working people. I am subjected to the same laws and regulations like everyone else, but, dig this, I cannot choose my insurance company. What is more, and totally absurd, is the fact that I have to pay the insurance cost for the summer semester regardless of whether I am here in Tucson or not. That is fine if I am covered everywhere I go during the summer holiday. But the insurance I am forced to purchase, at the price of my classes being dropped or registration being refused, does not cover out-of-town costs! "Really?" you ask. Yes really. I have to pay for coverages for which I am not covered! Now that is too damn ridiculous.

I thought stories like this only appear on the "News of the Weird." I applaud Maria Karlsson for speaking up. She totally has my support. I too am sick of being forced to pay an extra cost of $600 when I have to think about how much I can spend on my next and every meal. So stop cheating or scamming me of my hard earned money with your insurance policy. It is utterly a daylight robbery.

Jay Wong
ECE graduate student