With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, many are wondering what changes in health care will mean for students. In answer to this and many other questions, the Associated Students of the University of Oregon has launched the Duck N’ Cover Campaign to help students navigate the healthcare system. The campaign will host its biggest event, the Duck N’ Cover Health Care Enrollment Fair, on Feb. 12 from noon to 7 p.m. in the Erb Memorial Union Concourse.
Students in attendance can expect to see informational and enrollment booths from Planned Parenthood, Cover Oregon and representatives from private insurance agencies. Candace Joyner was hired as the ASUO student health commissioner this fall and is responsible for the launch of the Duck N’ Cover campaign. In an ASUO press release, Joyner stated that she aims “to cultivate awareness about the Affordable Care Act, to educate students on how these changes will affect their lives, to display the benefits that health insurance provides and to help students with the health insurance enrollment process.”
The planning process has been long but great, according to Joyner. The process started in December with the launch of the Duck N’ Cover website. Since the launch Joyner and her colleagues have been enrolling partners and collaborating with groups on and off campus.
“I think it’s essential that students know about the Affordable Care Act because it has such a profound effect on all of us,” Joyner said. “It’s important for students to know how the individual mandate will affect them.”
ASUO External Vice President Greg Mills is also working on Duck N’ Cover. Mills and Joyner have been preparing for the event and visited Springfield’s new Planned Parenthood facility, which Mills described as a lot of fun.
Mills feels that it is the responsibility of the ASUO to keep students informed. He emphasizes that the ASUO isn’t picking sides on the healthcare debate, only making sure that students have access to information.
In addition to the upcoming enrollment fair and smaller past events, Duck N’ Cover has a web presence. Duck N’ Cover has a Facebook page with 153 likes and counting, in addition to an official website. The website serves as a student guide to health coverage featuring enrollment guides for Oregon residents, non-Oregon residents, veterans and international students.