College Athletes & Medical Bills By Max, Cole, Xiomara, Pasoni

Background College Athletes always are dealing with some type of injury… Along with injury could come a consequence from the coach… Athletes are unaware of what could pile up after leaving… Universities and the NCAA do not inform their athletes about what health policies are in store for them. Leaving athletes blindsided to what happens after their careers.

It’s a real thing… “Everything was just piling up. It just felt like there was no coming back out of it," said Dustin Tervelt, a former University of Wisconsin-Stout athlete who had $6,000 in medical debts after his private insurance reached its limit. “I thought I would be covered,” said Erin Knauer, a Colgate University student who piled up $80,000 in medical bills after injuring her back and legs in training for the crew team. Schaefer, his family and their insurance company the $30,000 to $35,000 in medical bills that his injury and two subsequent surgeries have generated.

What if…? Parents of student-athlete has low-paying job or no job Student-athlete is impaired for life Scholarship isn’t taken completely, but decreased If you aren’t on scholarship 2. Ethics

NCAA Insurance Policy The NCAA's health care is that once a student-athlete is no longer enrolled and under scholarship, they don't receive any medical help from their school. A student-athlete is given scholarships on a year-to-year basis. NCAA should protect their student-athletes 2. Which allows coaches to refuse to renew a scholarship of a player that isn't healthy enough to play. 3. Not just during their five years of eligibility, but for as long as the effects of their injuries last.

So Who Helps? Some on the major conferences have stepped in and started helping there athletes. The California legislation is a step in the right direction, though perhaps coverage should be extended to four years post-attendance, as has been mandated by the Pac- 12 Conference — the same number of years student- athletes are eligible for competition. Universities generating more than $10,000,000 in media revenue from sports must guarantee athletic scholarships and pay the deductibles for student-athletes who suffer sports-related injuries.

(CAPA) College athletes players association Make athletes University employees to receive health benefits. Fight for justice and help student athletes pay for medical bills. CAPA is run by former and current college athletes. Educate politicians, donors, and even families of what they are to expect while playing for the NCAA. Mostly, protect the athletes that make so many Universites and fans proud. www.collegeathletespa.org

Stand Strong Again… The organization, based in Salt Lake City, recently obtained nonprofit status. It is working with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network to create a nationwide insurance plan tailored for extreme athletes – most of whom do not have insurance… Only for Skiing athletes currently. So far, it has helped with the medical bills of four athletes. Now that its nonprofit status is official, the organization also is taking applications from professional, amateur or local athletes who need assistance.

Our Proposal… Gather former and current athletes who have suffered an injury and were forced to pay Gather athletes and advocates who are willing to work with CAPA Create a team that consists of athletes and advocates to join two major organizations to educate on this issue

Our proposal… Create a better understanding throughout different college campuses and create awareness Ultimately join work with CAPA and insure that this issue is heard throughout the US in order to help current and future athletes Reach an agreement with the NCAA about how to properly compensate athletes for the past grievances.

Our proposal… Create different events where people can attend in attempt to raise awareness Contact news stations, government to insure that this social issue is being addressed

What you can do Join these organizations. Spread the word. Contact these organizations if you have more questions.

Conclusion The NCAA needs to help compensate medical bills. Athletes are getting hurt at a frequent rate. These organizations are the only ones currently helping. Many people are being effected by this rule as well as there families. This is going on while we speak.

Links http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/sports/16athletes.html ?pagewanted=all http://www.pressherald.com/2014/06/22/when-college- athletes-get-hurt-whose-wallet-should-feel-the-pain/ http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1595326-ncaa-policies- for-student-athlete-medical-insurance-breakdown https://www.noodle.com/articles/when-student-athletes- get-injured-who-pays134 http://www.spinalcordinjuryzone.com/news/2152/nonprofit -group-aids-injured-athletes