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College life is expensive. With the cost of books, tuition, and housing, a lot of students skimp on their medical coverage. Most colleges and universities offer an insurance plan costing thousands a semester, but for struggling students that just won't in their budget. They may look at individual health insurance or a short term insurance policy as unnecessary if their parents can just add them to their own.

Hypothetical Johnny is looking to save some money. Sure, Johnny's parents may be able to cover him as a dependent on their plan, as long as he maintains a full-time student status. This sounds perfect for Johnny.

Let's say Johnny develops leukemia while in college. He can't make it to class because he becomes too sick, and therefore loses his insurance. He and his family are facing mountainous debt that makes student health insurance costs seem like a drop in the bucket, but now that he is so ill no one can insure him.

Think this sounds far-fetched?

According to OpenCongress, Congressman Paul Hodes introduced a bill that addresses this issue. Michelle's Law proposes twelve months of continued coverage for students forced to take a medical leave.

The bill's namesake, Michelle Morse, continued school despite a cancer diagnoses in order to keep her coverage. She didn't realize the risk of becoming a dependent on her parents' policy instead of acquiring her own, and once she was diagnosed it was too late to obtain a new insurance policy.

Michelle's story does not have a very happy ending, at least not in her case. She lost her battle with colon cancer with the bill still sitting in the Senate, but not before helping her mother and their supporters shine a spotlight on this heart-wrenching problem.

Until the student health insurance dilemma is resolved, it's imperative that every student have their own policy.