Editor:

This is in response to the April 2 letter from Ms. Laura DeMuro ("Foreigners' insurance benefits students"). She said, "Some schools allow a waiver with an alternate proof of insurance. The UA has chosen not offer this because it has been found that some students purchase the insurance, show proof of insurance to the Campus Health Center, and proceed to cancel the policy to get their money back."

My concern and intention of my letter on March 26 ("Health insurance basic need for everyone") is not addressed by Ms. DeMuro. I agree that everyone must be covered with health insurance so that we can concentrate on our studies without worrying about possible health problems. However, I don't agree with a mandatory and uniform coverage of the health insurance plan which the Campus Health Center provides for us, because each individual has different needs. In my case, my family consists of my wife, son, and myself. Partners Health Plan charges me $2,420 for a one-year policy. Usually, a single student will pay about $600 a year, but if you get married you have to pay about $2,000 a year. When I came here, I asked the person who sat at the health insurance desk why such a ridiculous thing happened in the fee setting. The person answered that it was because the married couple could have a baby, and the delivery of a baby would cost a lot. So the fee was higher. I think this is based on the assumption that a young couple will have children during their school years. Instead of having another baby, my three-year-old son got asthma and needs medication which cost $100 per month, which is not covered by the Campus Health Plan. All together I have paid more than $3,500 on health-related expenses this year. If I had a choice, I would bring my Japanese insurance with me. I could have better coverage which was more suitable for our needs, including medication and only $1,200 per year.

Again, I agree that everyone should be covered by health insurance, because we have no idea what will happen tomorrow. However, I don't agree that foreign students should have a mandatory and uniform health plan that doesn't allow us to have a choice. Why can't we have the choice which an American student can afford? Why do you think that one uniform policy will be able to fulfill our different needs? Ms. DeMuro, or anybody in the Campus Health Center, please answer this question.

Eiji Okuyama
accounting senior