Prescription Coverage For All

College is a breeding ground for infectious diseases, and one person’s illness can quickly decimate an entire community. Harvard has a responsibility to provide all students with the medical care they require to remain healthy and active. Adequate health insurance should not only be available to those whose parents can afford it, but should be provided to all by the University. We therefore applaud the decision of the University Health Services (UHS) to supply prescription drug coverage to all 20,000 full-time students this year.

Although it is unfortunate that some students will have to pay twice for coverage they already receive through independent health insurers, that is the consequence of making the coverage economically viable. This plan requires that all undergraduates enroll, rather than offering coverage to only those who have high prescription drug bills. It also avoids the problem UHS ran into last year, when it offered optional prescription drug coverage. As might be expected, the students who signed up tended to have exceptionally high prescription drug bills; almost every student who enrolled claimed insurance at least once during the year. Now, by adding this program to the cost of the basic student health plan, the expense will not be so prohibitive to UHS because healthy students who do not order prescription drugs often will still be paying the extra $200 at the beginning of the year. In the old system, the University was basically subsidizing students who knew they would be incurring high prescription drug bills. The new system will actually be insurance—everyone will be covered, even those who do not foresee health problems at the beginning of the school year.

While the concept of universal prescription drug coverage is laudatory, there are still some problems with its implementation. It is inexcusable that women’s contraceptive pills are not covered, especially considering that men can claim up to eight doses of Viagra per month. Part of keeping students healthy is helping them avoid unwanted pregnancies. Available contraceptive pills are just as important as free condoms or first year sex education. Harvard should not hide behind the excuse that not covering contraceptive pills is “common practice;” it should take the lead in combating these clearly discriminatory practices.

Another problem is that while the plan covers allergy remedies, such as Claritin, it does not cover more powerful and necessary medication like allergy serums. This, again, is unfair; those who need the medication most are those who find themselves without coverage. Harvard should not merely follow the lead of other institutions; it should do what is right.

By implementing a progressive prescription drug program, Harvard will not just help its own students; it will lead the way for equitable health care programs to be implemented in colleges across the country.