Selkirk Students Opt for Extended Health

A growing number of important health care services are not covered in our public medicare system. For many students, paying for these services can lead to financial hardship, while others can't afford them at all. In response to this, students have voted in favour of receiving extended health benefits, while they attend Selkirk College.

In partnership with Canada's only national non-profit insurance provider, Green Shield, and the National Student Health Network, the Selkirk College Student's Union (SCSU) will offer a comprehensive set of benefits through a campus-wide extended health and dental plan.

"We are happy the SCSU will be offering these services to our students." explains Gerry Gauthier, Dean of Student Development / Registrar at Selkirk College, "The student health and dental plan is a collective investment to ensure the maximum standard of health care for the student community."

As of August 1st, an Extended Health Plan became mandatory for all full time students, unless they have extended health and dental insurance from another source. "The mandatory nature of the plan is how we are able to provide excellent coverage at an affordable rate." says David Lubbers, Health and Dental Coordinator for the SCSU, “It works out to approximately $20 per month.”

The plan went to student referendum and was passed with an over 90% mandate by students at the Castlegar campus back in 2006, and on the Nelson campuses the following year. The 2008 fall semester will be the first semester with the plan in place.

For more information on the extended health and dental plan available for students attending Selkirk College, or email healthanddental@selkirkstudents.ca.

First published on July 31, 2008