In order to maintain high-quality health services in the face of rising health care costs nationally, Cornell University's Gannett Health Center will initiate co- payments for clinician visits and psychological services beginning July 1.

Registered students will be charged a $10 fee for clinician and therapist visits. Nurse evaluations and consultations will continue to be provided to all patients at no charge. During the past several years, the Gannett Health Center budget has been challenged by health care cost inflation (more than 5 percent per year), the increasing costs of state and federally mandated programs, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, and the impacts of managed care, said Janet Corson-Rikert, M.D., interim director of Gannett.

While university budget support for health services has been adjusted upward to reflect inflation, total revenue has not kept up with expenses, and the center has had to operate with reduced staffing during the past year and a half. Income from co-payments will allow the Health Center to respond to student and staff concerns about wait times and ensure ongoing quality of care by restoring prior staffing levels, Corson-Rikert said.