SA R53 (2024-2025): Enhancing Federal Healthcare Access at Cornell Health

Acknowledged by the President

• Resolution:
  SA R53 (2024-2025): Enhancing Federal Healthcare Access at Cornell Health
• Day:
  July 29, 2025
• Action:
  Acknowledged by the President
• Summary / Notes:
• File Attachments:
• Text Attachment:

  Dear Zora,  

  Thank you for conveying SA R53: Enhancing Federal Healthcare Access at Cornell Health. I have asked my colleagues at Cornell Health to address the questions and concerns raised in the resolution.  

  Sincerely,  

  Michael Kotlikoff  

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  We appreciate the thoughtful and comprehensive resolution submitted by the Student Assembly’s Student Health Advisory Committee (SA-SHAC) regarding the accessibility and integration of Medicaid and Medicare at Cornell Health. The resolution raises important concerns about financial equity, continuity of care, and the unique needs of students relying on federal insurance programs. Medicaid administration varies significantly by state, making direct comparisons complex. While some proposals in the resolution face regulatory or logistical constraints, others align with ongoing efforts. Unlike Medicaid, which is limited to the state and often the county of enrollment, the Student Health Plan (SHP) offers all Cornell students, including those covered by Medicaid, national and international coverage. The SHP also offers many services cited as Medicaid strengths in the resolution, such as behavioral health and chronic illness management, and allows coverage for eligible dependents, though this coverage is not subsidized.   

  Cornell bills Medicaid for covered services and takes all steps to avoid making students pay out-of-pocket for care. Pharmacy services are an exception; they cannot be billed due to New York state restrictions. To mitigate this, Cornell Health currently waives charges under $100 and provides transportation to off-campus pharmacies for higher-cost prescriptions.   

  Cornell Health is open to hosting navigators for one-on-one consultations during key enrollment periods.   

  Many suggestions offered in the resolution are already in place. Cornell Health does in fact participate with Medicare, and we have updated our website to ensure the language about this is clear and consistent. Please note that the website translation tool can be accessed via the web browser’s context, or right-click, menu. Medicare does not allow dependent coverage, and students must be primary beneficiaries. Referral assistance and care coordination are already available for Medicare-covered students, and Weill Cornell Medicine is routinely offered for telehealth when appropriate. While SHP accepts VA insurance for waiver purposes, VA Community Care Program (CCP) integration is governed by strict federal eligibility rules and initial evaluation of the federal criteria suggests that Cornell Health is likely ineligible for this designation.  

  Cornell Health remains committed to reducing barriers to care and supporting students with diverse insurance needs. We welcome continued collaboration with SA-SHAC to refine and implement feasible solutions that enhance health equity and access for all Cornell students.