Get your own Free Home PageFor the rest of your life, the health care system will expand. Even if President Clinton’s public health care proposal was defeated in his first term, the federal government will play an ever larger role in health care.
Of course, for many this is good news, especially those who avoid often essential preventive medicine now because of its high cost. Yet the bad news part is that future students and their parents will see their federal taxes soar.
By 2009 everyone will have to visit the doctor’s office at least twice a year to stay healthy. Fortunately, many BLS students will turn to a health care center on campus. In fact, this system, the Health Alliance Center (HAC), is already in place. But the HAC of 2009 will be 10 times better than the current health center. Medical specialists will be able to prescribe medicine and perform such outpatient services as MRIs and minor elective surgery.
But that’s not all that will make Smith a clearner, safe, healthier environment. All water on campus will be bottled. The bathrooms will have a major facelift by then and will not be so grotesque that students wait until they get home to relieve themselves. Because of major advancements in drugs that treat sexually-transmitted disease, common teenage problems will bearly be eradicated. Furthermore, the improved health system will provide better pre-natal care. Meanwhile, education will help lower the birthrate for teenagers. In all likelihood, condoms and oral contraceptives will finally be dispensed on campus to those who needs them. Yet the major literature will still promote abstinence as the best way to avoid STDs and unwanted pregnancies. AIDS test will finally be available on campus, too. This will create a more tolerant and mature health environment.
Students will also be encouraged to seek treatment for mental health problems. A psychiatrist will be a full-time part of the HAC staff. He or she will also be willing to make special "house calls" via E-mail.
One potential pitfall concerns athletics. Student-athletes will be drug tested in 10 years. A positive test will earn a one-year suspension. A second offense will earn that student a permanent revocation of the right to play on that sports team. Thus, untainted urine will be sold online for drug screenings.
One thing is for certain: students will have many forms to fill out to get these services.
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