Election Post: Referendum

[aemasu]

Only one Referendum in this year's election, but it's a pretty big one: Altering the Health Plan.

Not altering as in changing the coverage, but rather changing their ability to alter the cost of the same coverage. To quote The Referendum website"The DSU is not able to adjust the premiums of the Plan each year. Without the ability to adjust the

Comments

[aemasu]

My thoughts: When a business or group mentions "inflation" as a reason for changing a price or something, I immediately recoil. Canada's always controlled its inflation rate to a reasonable degree, and companies don't claim "inflation costs" but every few years. I'm not an economist, so I don't know how much inflation counts towards the increased costs of the health plan.

I am worried about giving them free reign to adjust the rates. What's to keep them from the following scenario?
"Oh, we're $x over budget, what can we do?"
"Let's 'adjust' the health plan to cost $x/#students to cover it!"

Personally, I waive the health plan offered to save money anyway, so I'm probably going to abstain from this vote.

[lullaby_lune]

I actually made use of the health plan when I was at Dal. I definitely saved at least as much as I invested in it. I do have a couple questions about this allowance though

[aemasu]

As students pay for the full year in September, I don't see how they can make more than one adjustment in a year. I don't if justification is needed.

In my opinion, by the time it comes to a request to allow a rate adjustment, it's already in imminent danger. So yea, I view the "cuts may be needed" as a threat, or warning.

I don't know if there's regulation in place for any of it as it is. Any questions and comments are direct to the Facebook group.

I like how the elections are spreading across the internet, but it's rather ridiculous how the DSU election site points you to a weebly site for the referendum question, which points you to facebook to ask a question!

[aemasu]

Missed a word in the second sentence. "I don't know if justification is needed."

[endxgame]

Yearly adjustments on the cost/benefits of a health plan are normal. Giving the DSU exec the unilateral power to set the health plan fee is a bit out of the ordinary though. At King's the health plan fee is approved by the student body at the spring general meeting which has never been problematic and forces the executive/staff to actually explain why there are changes in costs and/or benefits each year. It seems like the most reasonable way to do things.

[aemasu]

A problem with appropriating that to Dal is the turnout at the Spring GM. As far as I know, the turnout is very low. I also share the opinion that a yearly vote, however performed, would be most reasonable. Though I could see people simply saying yes every year, though that usually happens now, anyway.

[endxgame]

Well then more people should go to the AGM.

I administer the health plan for the KSU and health plan costs tend to rise faster than inflation. If you can't raise premiums then you need to come up with creative plan design to maintain benefits while keeping premiums at a reasonable level.

On a somewhat related note: We're going through the renewal process for next year on our plan and I looked at all the other student union plans in the province and the DSU one is pretty decent. The premiums are a bit high but that's in part due to the number of older (read: grad/professional students) and in part due to having a for-profit broker. But I can say that you're certainly not being ripped off on your health plan - now MSVU students are a totally different story. They are pretty much getting ripped off.

[aemasu]

That's really interesting to know about the health plans! (heehee at MSVU ;> )

Dal has a problem with people displaying their interest in things. I find most things people learn about Dal, they learn through word-of-mouth. The students aren't exactly apathetic towards Dal, they just have their own lives going on, and pick up the information where they can. So, most people don't appear at an AGM, but they end up learning about the happenings during one. I'm at a loss of any ideas on how to change that, unfortunately.

[nicosian]

I got screwed by the health plan, they say that I can combine insurances, but this isn't the case, and so instead of saving money this "plan" cost me. If it's good for the whole year, sure, but I was told it was on a by semester basis. ( went from FT to PT. so I basically paid in to a system I can't use now?)

Dal as a whole, I'm just completely unimpressed with, from the lack of community to the hideous state of some of the facilities. I tried getting involved but one of the groups profiled in the Dal newspaper ( not the gazette) was actually defunct. ANd now I'm too busy working nonstop to cover tuition, between classes to have any time or money to get involved.

[aemasu]

You mean the whole "covers up to 80% of the cost, rest can be covered by another plan" thing isn't true? I figured there would be something finicky about that.

Yea, PT students aren't covered by the plan, but you do only pay for it in the Fall semester, if I am able to read my records correctly (which isn't a given). Unfortunately, your loss can only be used for future reference - drop out of the plan in your first semester.

[nicosian]

I'm transferring away from dal come next fall. I'm just that fed up with the entire place.( among other factors, the screaming high tuition, and the state of the facilities, and services leaves so very much to be desired. I do not feel I've gotten my money's worth from the place, overall. And I don't have loans, it's all out of MY own pocket directly, so I'm probably acutely aware of what this is costing me.)

If you do combine, I think the key is submit it to the DSU plan second, no matter if they say otherwise. My dental submitted to DSU first, and my husband's insurance refused the rest.

[aemasu]

Good idea.

And I'm with you regarding Dal. I'm here for two reasons, and neither of them have anything to do with the university.