Winona State University Student Senate voted in favor of increasing the health services fee in order to eliminate the co-payment that students who visit health services are required to pay.
Students may soon be able to be able to see a doctor or a nurse practitioner at Health Services for no charge, with a nincrease in the student health fee, which appears on student’s tuition bill.
The Student Fee Management Committee (SFMC) proposes changes and additions to student fees to Student Senate at their meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 13.
Next, it will be sent to Winona State’s President Ramaley for final approval.
Diane Palm, health services director at Winona State along with the SFMC orchestrated the scenario of eliminating the co-pay for student health services.
According to SFMC chair and Student Senate treasurer, Travis Carlson, the president usually sticks with Senate recommendations on fees.
“It is very rare for a fee to be passed by senate and then changed by the university president,” Carlson said.
Carlson stated that he has been asked frequently, “if we can get into athletic events for free, then why can’t we get health services for free?”
The plan would add up to a 17 percent increase on the student health fee.
While a 17 percent increase may seem like a high cost to add on to a long list of fees, the increase would be just under a seven-dollar addition to the current student health fee of $39.60.
With this increase in student health fee, Student Senate is looking into the possibility of hiring a part-time nurse practitioner to help with the current overflow of patients.
With the very real possibility that the co-pay will be eliminated at student health services, Carlson doesn’t believe this will cause students to abuse the system.
“No one likes to be sick,” said Carlson. “I think they will go when they need it.”
Currently there is a $5 co-pay to see a nurse practitioner or doctor or for medications, supplies and tests, much like in a normal clinic setting.
Student health services doesn’t just serve as a medical clinic, they also offer counseling services and health education.
Carlson believes that this is a great plan for the university, but also sees some implementation roadblocks standing in the way. He thinks that student health services would need to have a full-time staff member not just one half-time nurse practitioner, in order for this to work smoothly.

Contact Claudia at CDCappie9866@winona.edu