UH Graduate Students Demand Healthcare Coverage

Peer institutions subsidize health plans, but UH leaves students to pay high costs

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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A coalition of University of Houston graduate students is urging the university to cover their health insurance premiums, as many struggle to afford coverage on their low stipends. Unlike peer schools like UT-Austin and Texas A&M, UH does not subsidize healthcare for its teaching and research assistants, leaving some students to forgo coverage entirely.

Why it matters

Access to affordable healthcare is a critical issue for graduate students, who often earn less than $30,000 per year and face financial strain from rising insurance costs. The lack of healthcare coverage can negatively impact students' physical and mental health, as well as their ability to focus on their studies and research.

The details

UH graduate students say they pay at least $3,000 per year, over 10% of their stipend, for the cheapest university health plan. International students are required to have coverage, but domestic students are not, and UH does not provide any subsidies. Some students have resorted to going uninsured, while others have seen their ACA marketplace premiums rise sharply.

  • The graduate students presented 40 pages of healthcare testimonials to UH System Chancellor Renu Khator three months ago, but have not received a response.
  • In the fall 2025 semester, UH had 1,381 teaching assistants.

The players

Elena Nguyen

A graduate assistant researcher in the College of Education who opted not to pay for health coverage due to the high costs.

Seth Uzman

A Ph.D. student and organizer for the 'Graduate Student Solidarity' group, which is pushing for UH to cover healthcare premiums.

Daniel Huff

A physics Ph.D. student who saw his ACA marketplace health plan premium increase from $30 to $175 per month.

Renu Khator

The UH System Chancellor, to whom the graduate students presented their healthcare testimonials.

University of Houston

The public research university that does not currently subsidize health coverage for its graduate student workers, unlike peer institutions.

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What they’re saying

“This university is ready to spend much more money on concrete than on care. We feel disrespected because we are disrespected, and we feel neglected because we are neglected.”

— Seth Uzman, Ph.D. student and organizer (Houston Chronicle)

“I'm one of the lucky ones. And yet they could pay us more and then I would have more income towards healthcare, or they could cover it all. Because they pay us so little and don't provide us with health care, my option is Affordable Care Act, and that is no longer a sustainable option.”

— Daniel Huff, Physics Ph.D. student (Houston Chronicle)

“It's just too much. I just pray I don't get sick.”

— Elena Nguyen, Graduate assistant researcher (Houston Chronicle)

What’s next

The graduate students say they will continue to advocate for UH to cover healthcare premiums for its teaching and research assistants, following up on the testimonials they provided to Chancellor Khator.

The takeaway

This issue highlights the financial challenges facing graduate students, who often earn low stipends but face high costs of living and healthcare. By subsidizing health coverage, UH could better support its graduate workforce and ensure students can focus on their studies and research without the burden of unaffordable medical bills.