Health Services: an asset to SIUC

Our Word
Daily Egyptian

With so much talk about everything that is bad in American healthcare - skyrocketing prices of treatment and prescriptions, increasing insurance rates and deductibles and the millions of Americans who simply go without health care - it is only fair to make mention of what is good about it.

The best thing about health care is the simple fact so many students don't even realize the American system is flawed. This is true because universities around the country provide their students access to quality health care with a price tag even students can afford.

While SIUC is similar to other schools in regard to providing health services, we believe SIUC may in fact deviate from the average college heath service program. It surely deviates from the basic package of health care.

Student Health Programs at SIUC take care of more than the common cold. Their doctors, nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, physical therapists, etc., provide this campus with an enormous list of services.

Some primary and secondary schools are starting to figure out what universities have known for years: students cannot concentrate or learn efficiently if they are suffering.

And suffering does not just mean the unfortunate migraine headache.

Nutritionists at the Wellness Center know how important it is for students to eat healthy, exercise and keep a steady weight. They also know for some people, this is easier said than done. They help those people.

The Counseling Center's clients know they are cared for and that at usually only $5 a session can keep going back until they feel they can better deal with their problems alone. And the center knows crises don't always occur during business hours, so they have a phone-in crisis line (549-3351).

The Counseling Center also provides Women's Services to help those from the University and the surrounding community who need assistance with educational, vocational and personal decisions. They also house the Campus Safety Program, which provides counseling to victims of rape, sexual assault or sexual harassment. And yes, men may take advantages of these services, too.

As pre-school-age children, we were required to have immunizations before starting class. College is no different. But for those students who haven≠t had the mandatory immunizations, a sweet nurse will be glad to stick them in the arm to fulfill the requirement.

While primary medical care is available on campus for all SIUC students, extended health insurance is a must. Although some students≠ parents have insurance that allow them to remain covered into college, SIUC also offers extended care plans for only $134 a semester. That may seem like a lot, but compared to the average cost of health insurance, it is a bargain. For those students who pay the Student Medical Benefit fee, emergency dental service is available for only $6 per visit. Dental services also provide some routine fee-for-service procedures as part of the primary coverage.

Sports Medicine and the Clinical Center will help control the pain of some injuries or make life with permanent aliments more livable.

And then, of course, there is the Heath Service Clinic, which takes care of students≠ everyday health problems, provides women's health services and even has a laboratory for blood work.

And we can't forget the pharmacy, which provides the campus with cheaper prescription drugs than even Canadians could dream of.

No, the American health care system is not perfect. But the Student Heath Services at SIUC is pretty darn close. During a time of unease about the future of health care in this country, we are confident if SIUC's Health Service providers keep going at their current rate, future SIUC students will have nothing to worry about.

Copyright 2009 - Daily Egyptian