Oklahoma Lawmaker Examining Insurance Options for Career Tech Students

Oklahoma State Rep. Joe Dorman wants to find out what insurance options could be made available for career technology students in Oklahoma.

In announcement released by the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Dorman, D-Rush Springs, said his interest was spurred by a call from constituent whose son attends a career technical school that, unlike many colleges and universities, offered no group health insurance to students.

Eighteen higher education institutions, including the state’s largest universities, provide a health facility on campus while 12 institutions do not provide a facility. Only nine institutions provide a path or forum for private insurance companies to educate students about insurance opportunities.

Insurance coverage is provided to all student athletes and some institutions make healthcare plans and information available to all students. NCAA athletes have the option to purchase a policy through that organization.

Dorman said his intent is not to run legislation, but to instead work with career tech officials to create more opportunities for students. If no affordable policy can be worked out for a group rate, then options such as expanding coverage to Insure Oklahoma could be examined.

“Ultimately, we would like to have the option available for students to have the most affordable policy available,” said Dorman. “With the changes in insurance we have seen at the federal level and the allowance for parents to keep their kids on their policies up to age 26, we must now look at how to best offer coverage to those non-traditional students who want affordable insurance.”

Source: Oklahoma House of Representatives

Topics Legislation InsurTech Talent Tech Oklahoma