By Brian Ruth
The Scene staff
Today is the deadline for Americans to sign up for health insurance, so some students are opting out of coverage while others scramble to find options.
Fire Protection Technologies student Andrew Wheeler, 24, hasn’t had health insurance for three years. But he’s adamant about not using the federal health-care exchange website because of its problematic launch in October.
“It’s either health care through the military, or I just won’t have health care,” he said.
Byron Keaton, 21, a theater major and member of the Campus Life Task Force, also has been uninsured for three years.
He began to investigate options at healthcare.gov in December, but it was the recent commercial with Magic Johnson that spurred him into action.
“It’s time to finally see what’s up,” Keaton said earlier this month.
The insurance mandate is part of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Students who don’t get coverage could be subject to a tax penalty.
In Missouri, exchange options are available to those who aren’t on their parents’ insurance plans or don’t have plans available through their schools.
Students who can’t afford insurance and whose income is below a certain level can qualify for Medicaid.
Transfer student Jasmine Armstrong, 21, is insured through Gateway to Better Health, a temporary program set to expire on Dec. 31.
The program provides a health-insurance bridge for uninsured adults until they can enroll in options under the Affordable Care Act, according to the company’s website.
After reviewing options at Healthcare.gov, Forest Park lead housekeeper Arerevure Maxwell decided to stay with Anthem BlueCross BlueShield. That’s the plan offered to college employees.
“(The federal exchange) has its good and bad,” she said. “But for people who don’t have any insurance, it would be nothing but a blessing.”