Students may soon have to pay directly for the health services that Cerritos College provides.

That is the hope of the director of student health services, Charles Gale, as he addressed members of the ASCC Cabinet on Monday.

“Students who receive financial aid receive the BOGG waiver,” he said, “and 18-47 percent of that is based on funding for the health services.”

Gale added that California is in a financial strain right now and if students do pay for the health fee it will be to their benefit.

ASCC Vice President Charlene Angsuco agreed.

“I have Kaiser Permanente insurance,” she commented, “when I need to see the doctor I pay $20 every time and to have to pay $14 is easier.”

She added that if the students do pay for the health services that the department will be able to be open longer to those who need it most.

Moises Gutierrez, commissioner of the Inter-Club Council, also agreed with Angsuco.

“This is not negative, but it is an initiation to maintain the services.”

The only concern for Gutierrez was the psychology services that will be affected.

Gale reassured Gutierrez saying, “The goal of the bill (if it is passed) is to decrease user fees and pay for the health services.”

He added that the only reason for having the students pay for the health fee is due to inflation.