Monday, November 9, 2009

Something To Think About: New College Health Law



With all the discussion lately on a new healthcare plan, there has been one improvement that has directly affected college students. It is called Michelle’s Law and it went into effect as a federal law on Oct. 9, 2009.

Michelle’s Law allows full-time college students to take up to 12 months medical leave while still being covered under their parent’s health insurance.

This need for this law became clear when the story of a young woman named Michelle Morse, who was diagnosed with colon cancer while attending New Hampshire’s Plymouth State University, was presented to Congressman Paul Hodes.


The doctors had told Michelle to stay home and rest; however, her parent’s health insurance forced Michelle to go to school. The insurance company requires a person to maintain a schedule as a full-time student in order to remain on their parent’s plan, so Michelle took a full class load all while undergoing chemotherapy and treatments. Six months after Michelle graduated she lost her battle with cancer but her mother knew it was time for a change and that the healthcare system would be the start.

This is when the fight for a new law began in 2004 and is now in effect presently.  

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