In the United States, healthcare coverage is a necessity for many everyday Americans, but for college students on a budget, it is more often viewed as a luxury. Health insurance is a key element in improving the quality of life for students in higher education. From resource awareness to financial hurdles, Seattle University students are facing the reality of accessing healthcare.
Director of Wellness and Health Promotion at Seattle U Chris Fiorello, discussed the resources that are offered on campus for students.
“The Student Health Center is a fairly comprehensive in-house clinic that is staffed by nurse practitioners and also a psychiatric nurse practitioner who also works at the Student Health Center,” Fiorello said.
Fiorello explained that the cost for all students to use the Student Health Center (SHC) is $5.
“One of the things I think students assume is that our student health center cannot provide contraception, that’s not true. That is available through the nurse practitioners,” Fiorello said.
Many students may shy away from seeking medical attention, due to a lack of insurance. Fiorello addressed concerns about who is eligible to receive treatment on campus.
“The Student Health Center is open to students whether they have insurance or not. If students have insurance, SHC may bill insurance depending on the type of visit and insurance,” he said.
On the other hand, some students think the university has a long way to go in terms of fully supporting students and their healthcare needs.
Kai Schnitzius, a third-year political science and international studies major, provided a perspective on the reality of being a student and dealing with the healthcare system. He explained how students dealing with health issues are not given a lot of leniency when it comes to assignments.
“Some professors will give extensions because of mental health issues, but some require doctor notes to prove that a student is struggling in order to get an extension,” Schnitzius said.
Schnitzius opened up about how procedures such as requiring documentation for sick students add to the divide between students and professors.
“While I understand some professors may be worrying about students lying to get more time, not everyone can easily get access to seeing a doctor. [Seattle] U professors shouldn’t require proof to give extensions,” Schnitzius said. “I think it’s better to give students the benefit of the doubt when it comes to asking for extensions, rather than withholding them from students who really need them in times of crises.”
When asked about his thoughts about the resources on campus including the Student Health Center, Schnitzius opened up about the disconnect between students and the resources on campus.
“I’ve heard my friends who have used the on-campus medical center say that sometimes it can be difficult to get adequate treatment there or that finding time to visit isn’t the easiest, so maybe making that more accessible?” Schnitzius said.
Schnitzius also talked about the issues some have with the online mental health resources provided by the school, such as TimelyCare, an app that provides mental health resources.
“Not everyone is a fan of receiving mental health resources in the online format the school provides. Having an in-person counselor could be helpful,” Schnitzius said.
Other students at Seattle U look elsewhere when it comes to healthcare. Clara McDanniel, a third-year communication and media major, talked about her own healthcare situation in comparison to others.
“I get healthcare through my dad’s companies. I am lucky because my parents are involved and support me financially in a lot of ways. It’s less scary for me than it could be,” McDanniel said.
McDanniel described how navigating the healthcare scene is stressful for her counterparts in Seattle and Americans in general.
“People are either hyper-aware of it because it is so stressful to navigate or they’re lucky like me and their parents manage it. There is not a lot of in-between,” McDanniel said.
McDanniel expressed her displeasure with the healthcare system in the United States.
“I think healthcare is kind of stressful for a lot of Americans, generally people try to avoid the healthcare system because it’s so crazy here.”
Healthcare remains a crucial issue for college students, particularly those balancing their financial and academic responsibilities. While Seattle U provides accessible on-campus resources through the Student Health Center, students still face challenges in obtaining care.
