Proposals in for Student Health

Students excited for health plan's future

The deadline for submission of Student Health plan proposals has finally passed, leaving the Health Plan Board with a grand total of one viable proposal. But in the eyes of enthusiastic student senators involved with the Board and the Senate-affiliated Health Plan Advisory Council, one good proposal is all it takes.

"It's everything we ever dreamed of and more in one little binder," senator junior Meagan Willits, a member of the Advisory Council and a voting member of the Board, said of the proposal.

The proposal, submitted by Collegiate Health Care (CHC), marks the beginning of a turning point for Student Health as the Health Plan Board begins concrete plans to revamp Student Health by the beginning of next school year. The Board, which currently consists of five students and five faculty members, was formulated to examine Student Health after College Physician Judith Appleton announced her retirement in June. Appleton, with whom many students reported being dissatisfied in a survey conducted several years ago, retired Oct. 1.

CHC's proposal offers the College three different levels of health care options. According to Willits, if the Board accepts the proposal it will most likely choose the second option, whose price estimate is currently $460,000. The College's total Student Health bill is currently around $430,000, according to senator senior Dan Persky.

Option two's package includes a full-time physician and a full-time health education professional, among other staff members, an on-site pharmacy open 40 hours a week at which students can obtain over-the-counter and prescription medications at a below market cost, special facilities for Conservatory students with practice-related injuries and a 24-hour confidential helpline. A self-help center for students in need of cold or wound medications and an audio tape library for students to gather information on topics such as AIDS or mental health would also be available.

CHC's proposal meets all of the mandatory guidelines the Board sent to organizations late in October, including extended office hours, access to specialists and quality care for specific women's health issues. The guidelines were based on input received from students who attended Advisory Council forums or filled out health plan surveys over the past month. 500 students, including 100 who live off-campus, returned surveys, according to Willits.

The Board and Advisory Council have discussed building a new location or renovating space in the center of campus as two possibilities for Student Health space.

Persky said, "I think the proposal has definitely taken into consideration most of the students' concerns, but there's still some specifics that we're going to work out with CHC if we're going to give them the contract." He added that one facet of health care absent from the proposal is the option of alternative medicine, such as holistic remedies, which many students believe is important to include in a new Student Health program.

Willits said, "I think students are educated enough about this that if the price of student health went up a little they'd understand that they're paying more for higher quality services."

The proposal was submitted by CHC in response to the Request for Proposal (RFP) the College and outside consultants drafted and sent to various health services organizations last summer.

As of the Nov. 10 deadline, the only other proposal the Board has received is from Allen Memorial Hospital, which estimates the total cost of creating a new Student Health program to be close to $1 million. The Oberlin Clinic, which currently houses the Student Health office, declined to submit a proposal unless no other bids were presented.

Willits said, "As far as I can tell, the main reason we haven't received other proposals is because we don't have a location in mind yet for the new Student Health program. When people received the RFP and found out we don't have a designated space yet, they didn't bid."

Dr. Richard Keeling, a member of the Health Advocates consulting firm which helped the College draft the RFP this summer, will come to Oberlin Thursday to discuss the terms of CHC's proposal with the Board. He and several Board members will also research other colleges at which CHC runs Student Health, including the University of Hartford and University of California, Santa Barbara.

"This proposal is the groundwork and we want to build up from it," Willits said. "This is just touching on everything we'd imagined."

Based on the approximately 300 surveys already received and the eight open forums held, the Health Plan Advisory Council is confidant that the following items should be mandatory in a new Student Health Plan.

1. STAFFING

At least three full-time medical professionals to work directly with students. The combination of which may be, but is not limited to, one physician and two nurse practitioners; three nurse practitioners ; one physician, one nurse practitioners, one registered nurse, etc.

Two staff members to see students by appointment and one to be available for walk-ins. In addition, one staff members should have a job description that includes work in health education - staff sensitive to communities of color and alternative life styles.

2. HIRING

Student control in entire hiring process of all staff members associated with student health - student input in hiring.

3. HOURS

Open appointment and walk-in hours: 9:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12:00 noon through 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.

4. PHONE SERVICE - ON CALL

Twenty-four hour number where a medical professional of at least an R.N. capacity would be available to answer questions and give advice.

5. SPECIALISTS

Access to specialists in the area covering a wide range of services. A list of available specialists (including references to alternative medicine and holistic practitioners) should be accessible to students. Also, a staff member of Student Health would be able to assist students in contacting specialists and making appointments.

6. PHARMACEUTICALS

Commonly prescribed prescriptions medications (i.e., antihistamines, antibiotics, inhalers, birth control, etc.) should be available at the Student Health center either in sample or unit-dose form at cost to students.

Student Health would also provide a complete assortment of over-the-counter medications for student use.

7. WOMEN'S HEALTH

Student Health should exhibit a commitment to health issues specific to women, including gynecological services, sexually transmitted disease testing, birth control options and readily available morning-after pills.

8. SPACE

Appropriate space is needed to provide quality services to students. Space should be designated not only for waiting rooms, exam rooms and reception areas, but also for student organizations, such as HIV counselors and SAST.

9 SELF HELP CENTER/COLD CLINIC

10. HEALTH EDUCATION AND WELLNESS - WEB PAGE