If so, were you I don't think you were at the council meeting last week, right?
I was I attended it online. Okay.
Yeah. So at the meeting, as they kind of talked about the trends that we were seeing in per capita claims kind of rising. Do you want to talk about those trends that you've been seeing this year and how that influenced the type of coverage that students are going to be receiving in the upcoming year?
Yeah, sure. Is that Is that like a specific thing that you're looking to notes on
this? Specifically, I would say looking into like the reductions in dental coverage and then some in I think eyeglasses and contacts and then the one that students are most concerned about, which would be the mental health one,
of course, yeah. So basically, like, I guess, like, a little bit of rundown would sort of be that, you know, as, as I've made mentioned before, the cost of dental care, the cost of dental across Canada had gone up with the fee guide that was published earlier this year. And there were other concerns with the rising costs in general for a lot of different things. You know, given inflation and other trends that we've also been seeing the plan, the plan for the AMS was taking a lot of dough and I'm sure like, you must be aware that last year is when people had come forward and referendum and OS to increase the fees. We were just seeing a lot of cost increases and the AMS' internal reserves depleting and hence be in a position where they would not be sustainable enough for the plan to continue in its current state. So we basically looked over the data, consulted with the dental committees spoke to council about this and went back and forth about how we should be approaching the situation. So with that being said, they will obviously with any solution that you put forward, it's never just one approach that you take. It's always a multitude of different approaches. So that's what we tried to do as well. And what we were able to do in this position was one, go, go back to our insurer and negotiate a reduced cost from them. So that would help bridge the gap between the plan fee and the plan premium We moved the plan, like accounting model, essentially, drum refund, recording one too afraid short land model, and finally formalized having a reserve fund policy does not mandate the AMS to have at least 10% of the premiums to be held separately as reserves. Which would help or they can also any uncertain issues that come up for God forbid if another COVID happens. If there any uncertain issues that take place we wouldn't be in a position where we fail to support stu dents with the scissors
Yeah, I'm looking at the strategy behind the reduction in mental health coverage. What was the kind of discussion around that is the reduction because of just the high volume of claims that there is and then I think some people were talking about like, why cut it down from 100% to 80%, rather than for instance, reducing the overall coverage which is $1,250.
Of course, yeah. So, you know, in the past year is when people are trying to reduce the principal amount of the dollar by just the coverage. There was a lot of backlash from student population, not a lot of people were happy with it. So we tried to understand the situation from a student's perspective and we're like, okay, you know, what, if we were able to reduce the percentage instead of the dollar amount the student would still be able to access? What is it Yeah. 12 $50 with the coverage and with that being said, let's also explore other avenues where we can support students if if they're going through any issue, so an increasing more access to UBCs services that are available, increasing access to peer support that's available and while at the same time, obviously exploring other avenues where we can get more funding so we can support this plan and hopefully make more improvements come the content next year.
Yeah. Do you think this reduction is something that students need to be concerned about? I think at the council meeting, a student at large, talked about how that 20 to $30 that someone might have to pay like per visit to a psychologist because the coverage is being reduced could be the difference between like, counseling and groceries, I think is what they said. So what would you say that you make of that statement or those types of concerns that people might be having?
Essentially, if anybody on this campus is experiencing any mental health issues, there are a lot of resources available to them. And we want to make sure that we're providing we're providing students with as many resources as possible to make sure that UBCs counseling services are available, obvious support services available, as amended plan is an option that's available to them and make these resources accessible to students. So that could help alleviate some of their concerns.
Yeah. And in general, what kind of predictions Do you think the finance committee is going to see this coming year with these changes implemented finance committee, or kind of your department?
I'm not sure I understand the question.
Or like, what kind of goals are do you think the AMS is being is hoping to accomplish with like these targeted reductions in certain areas and kind of trying to reduce that overall insurance deficit?
Our main goal for the year, it's a two pronged. So our first priority is students you want to make sure that students have access to as many resources as possible and variable to support. Support them in every capacity that we can. And our second one is having the head ended than to be on a path of civilization because I'm sure you must be aware of the previous coverages that have come out about the health ban and the large deficit that has been carrying and all of the changes and the troubles and concerns that people have had over the years. Because of that, we want to make sure that from starting from this year onwards, we're putting this putting this plan back on a budget stabilization so that with a stable plan we're able to again, support students in a much more better manner, and we're able to continually continue to support students in every capacity that we can.
Yeah, definitely. Those were all the questions that I had unless you feel like there was anything else that you wanted to say on the ladder of health and dental changes this year.
Well, if you have any questions, feel free to let me know but I think from my end, it's just the same thing where you support students in every capacity that we can and that's what we plan to accomplish. In the one of the parts we're doing so would be putting this plan back on about the civilization.
