EAST LANSING, Mich., Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Michigan State University students must have evidence of health insurance or coverage will be added to tuition, officials said.
While students are grappling with the potential added cost of $940 for the current semester, Republicans on the state's House Appropriations Committee's Higher Education Subcommittee are objecting to the tuition increase and to what they see as mandated coverage and the decision's resemblance to "Obamacare".
School officials claim protection of students is their goal, the Detroit Free Press reported, and that 25 percent of public universities in America, although no others in Michigan, mandate healthcare coverage.
"It's a one-size-fits-all plan," said state Rep. Kevin Cotter. "The university is saying 'You are going to have this.' This is mandated coverage.'"
Students were informed about the ruling in the summer of 2011. Freshmen and other incoming students have until Feb. 29 to comply. The government subcommittee will hold a hearing on Feb. 15.
