Sen. Chris Murphy calls on NCAA for 'complete' healthcare coverage of athletes
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) is adding another prong to his calls for the NCAA and president Mark Emmert to improve the college athletics system that includes full healthcare coverage.
In a report released Monday, Murphy called for changes in how the NCAA and colleges handle athlete’s medical care. It’s the third report issued by Murphy, who announced a bi-partisan Senate working group with Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) about college sports.
Murphy calls for full health care coverage
The first part calls for complete coverage of health care costs related to sport participation and access to health care professionals who are not on the college’s payroll.
Health care coverage shouldn’t depend on the athletes or their families but should be considered part of the cost of having an athletic program. That coverage should extend past their eligibility for injuries that will have life-long consequences. Further, athletes should be able to seek second opinions on injuries they believe have been misdiagnosed by those whose first obligation is to their employer.
Students enrolling in most colleges are required to show proof of insurance, and they are usually covered by parents’ policies until the age of 26. But a large group of students, especially those from lower income areas, might not be covered under parents’ policies once they turn 18.
Murphy argued that colleges could pay for it based on Division III Middlebury College providing accident insurance to collegiate and club sports athletes. Per the report:
Revenues in college sports have tripled in only 15 years. Programs must put that money to better use than lavish facilities or more bonuses for overpaid coaches.
Murphy calls for collegiate athlete protection
Murphy also called for guaranteed scholarships regardless of injury, complete protection for “whistleblowing about abusive and dangerous decision-making by coaches and trainers,” consistent transfer rules for freedom to leave programs and “restitution” for brain injuries.
The whistleblowing would apply to those who have brought to administrator’s attention abusive actions by coaches, such as the Michigan State scandal involving Larry Nassar and the gymnastics program. It would also apply to complaints filed against coaches for inappropriate behavior.
There must be zero tolerance for coaches who abuse their power, and athletes must have every opportunity to bring such behavior to light.
The transfer rule has come under fire this season particularly in women’s basketball for being arbitrarily applied, with UConn coach Geno Auriemma slamming the NCAA in November.
“You start to wonder,” Auriemma said, “do people who work at the NCAA actually have any idea what goes on on campuses?
Last week, Oregon players took to social media to blast the NCAA for denying Sedona Prince’s transfer waiver — which was not decided by the organization until nearly 10 games into the season. Coach Kelly Graves noted to the media she was injured playing with USA Basketball and said there “doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason” in the decision making.
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