To: Vermont Law School
Vermont Law School: Offer inclusive insurance policies that cover trans students and staff
All students pay the same tuition and all students must obtain insurance while attending Vermont Law. Therefore, it's time for Vermont Law to offer inclusive insurance policies that cover trans students and staff!
Why is this important?
Vermont Law School is an ABA accredited law school nestled in the small city of South Royalton, VT. The school opened in 1972 as one of only a handful of independent, private law schools in the U.S. In 2012, the number of entering JD students was 171. Vermont Law has been named one of the best law schools for public interests and for women by the National Jurist. Vermont Law's mission is "To educate students in a diverse community that fosters personal growth and that enables them to attain outstanding professional skills and high ethical values with which to serve as lawyers and environmental and other professionals in an increasingly technological and interdependent global society." The current tuition for a 3 year JD is $46,110 (annually) and the school does not receive any state funding.
Currently VLS requires its students who are taking at least 5 credit hours to obtain health insurance. If insurance is not obtained the student risks being charged a noncompliance fee of $1,000.00 per semester. “The schools insurance is offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield with deductible amounts ranging from $ 500 to $ 2,500. The two plans offered differ by deductible amount, varying out-of-pocket maximums, price, etc.”
After researching these plans, I realized that Blue Cross and Blue Shield does not extend coverage to transgender students who attend VLS. With Vermont Law being a school that prides itself on the diversity of its student body, it is alarming that a facet of the student population is not covered for medically necessary hormones and/or procedures, all the while being required to purchase this coverage.
Currently there are 37 colleges and universities that cover hormones and gender reassignment/confirmation surgeries for students. One of which is only an hour away from VLS in nearby Burlington, VT (University of Vermont).
According to www.tgender.net “Transsexualism is very rare. According to the DSM-IV, it affects an estimated 1 in 30,000 people; the latest research estimates that the total annual cost per insured is $.05 to cover surgery, or $.17 to cover surgery, hormones, and therapy. With medical insurance costing upwards of $4,000 per year, to cover THBs would be about .004%.”
As you can see it would be very inexpensive to add this insurance inclusion for trans-students and staff at Vermont Law School. If a school wishes to remain competitive in such an over saturated industry, one must continue to offer programs that others don’t. Seeing as how all students pay $46,110 per year, all students’ health needs should be addressed and considered. Please sign my petition to show Vermont Law School that they need to offer an insurance policy that covers the needs of ALL students and staff.
Currently VLS requires its students who are taking at least 5 credit hours to obtain health insurance. If insurance is not obtained the student risks being charged a noncompliance fee of $1,000.00 per semester. “The schools insurance is offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield with deductible amounts ranging from $ 500 to $ 2,500. The two plans offered differ by deductible amount, varying out-of-pocket maximums, price, etc.”
After researching these plans, I realized that Blue Cross and Blue Shield does not extend coverage to transgender students who attend VLS. With Vermont Law being a school that prides itself on the diversity of its student body, it is alarming that a facet of the student population is not covered for medically necessary hormones and/or procedures, all the while being required to purchase this coverage.
Currently there are 37 colleges and universities that cover hormones and gender reassignment/confirmation surgeries for students. One of which is only an hour away from VLS in nearby Burlington, VT (University of Vermont).
According to www.tgender.net “Transsexualism is very rare. According to the DSM-IV, it affects an estimated 1 in 30,000 people; the latest research estimates that the total annual cost per insured is $.05 to cover surgery, or $.17 to cover surgery, hormones, and therapy. With medical insurance costing upwards of $4,000 per year, to cover THBs would be about .004%.”
As you can see it would be very inexpensive to add this insurance inclusion for trans-students and staff at Vermont Law School. If a school wishes to remain competitive in such an over saturated industry, one must continue to offer programs that others don’t. Seeing as how all students pay $46,110 per year, all students’ health needs should be addressed and considered. Please sign my petition to show Vermont Law School that they need to offer an insurance policy that covers the needs of ALL students and staff.