University Takes Back Health Insurance Ban

Category: Education/Family

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. retract / rɪˈtrækt / (v) – to take something back, usually a statement
    Example:

    The woman retracted her resignation because her employer offered her a higher salary.


  2. uproar / ˈʌpˌrɔr / (n) – a public expression of complaint, anger, or protest
    Example:

    There was public uproar after the government announced tax increases.


  3. in anticipation of (something) / ɪn ænˌtɪs əˈpeɪ ʃən əv / (idiom) – in expectation or in preparation for something that might happen in the future
    Example:

    The school hired more teachers in anticipation of the increase in student population next year.


  4. surge / sɜrdʒ / (n) – a quick or sudden increase
    Example:

    There has been a surge of tourists in my city after it was featured in a movie.


  5. claim / kleɪm / (n) – a statement saying that something is true, even though there is no proof yet
    Example:

    The student stood by his claim that he didn’t cheat during the exam.


Article

Read the text below.

Brigham Young University (BYU) in Idaho retracted its Medicaid insurance ban after student uproar.


The BYU, like other schools in the United States, requires students to have health insurance first before enrolling in classes. For years, the school has accepted Medicaid, a government program that provides free or low-cost health insurance to people with very low income.


However, in November, the BYU announced that students who use Medicaid as their primary health insurance will no longer be allowed to enroll in the university. Instead, students will have to buy another health insurance or get a university-endorsed health plan that costs $536 per semester for single students and $2,130 for those enrolling with their family. This angered students, and many considered dropping out because they could not afford private health insurance.


The BYU did not thoroughly explain why it had decided to ban Medicaid as a school health insurance. In a statement, however, the university said that the decision was made in anticipation of Medicaid’s expansion in Idaho. The expansion would allow 70,000 low-income residents, including college students, to sign up for the program. The school assumed that the local medical community, clinics, and hospitals will be burdened by the surge in Medicaid users.


In response to the BYU’s statement, medical practitioners and institutions in the area expressed disagreement with the university’s explanation. They said that they were not communicating with the BYU when the university made its claim. One hospital said that it can accommodate the increase in Medicaid patients, while another said that it does not mind the increase in patients as the surge can boost its business.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Do you agree that the BYU’s previous decision to ban Medicaid as students’ health insurance will truly help ease the burden on the local medical community? Why or why not?
• If you were a BYU student, how would you feel about the retraction of the ban on Medicaid? Discuss.

Discussion B

• Do you think it is a good idea for students to have medical insurance first before attending schools? Why or why not?
• Do you think it is schools’ responsibility to manage students’ healthcare? Why or why not?