UPDATE: EAST LANSING - While several universities in Michigan already offer health insurance programs that give students the opportunity to opt-in, Michigan State will be the state to make it mandatory.

Kent Cassella, the director for MSU university relations, said three key reasons dictated the university's decision to implement the mandate.

Citing public health concerns and the size of MSU's campus, financial risks and academic risks of not having insurance, Cassella said the university was taking a proactive approach.

The plan being offered by MSU will add an additional $1,500 onto a student's tuition bill. However, unlike before, since the plan is being offered through the university, students will now have the option to roll that cost into their financial aid.

Michigan State junior Zachary Block doesn't support the new mandate.

"Personally, I think people should be given the option," Block said. "Currently we already have that system in place and it's worked thus far, I don't think it should be required."

All students who were new to MSU this past fall semester will have until the end of February to let the university know whether they have health insurance. If not, they will be enrolled in the university plan.

ORIGINAL STORY: EAST LANSING - MSU is the first university in the state to mandate health insurance for all incoming students.