VCU is a state university, and faced with the same problem.  Historically
the same problem applied to post-doc employees, too, due to the way they
were employed.  Over 22 years ago the post-docs, both fellows and
employees, with assistance of administration, created a "group" for getting
health insurance.  That group now has some assistance from the VP-Research
office in administration of the group.  The cost of that health insurance
IS an allowable cost for members of the group.

Chuck

At 11:22 AM 9/29/2003 -0600, you wrote:

>I am hoping to obtain information relating to how other Universities treat
>NIH postdoctoral trainees. Under the restrictions of the NIH National
>Research Service Award program guidelines, trainees may not have an
>employee/employer relationship with their respective University.  Without
>an employee status with our University, we are finding it impossible to
>provide health insurance benefits to these individuals through our group
>policies covering University employees.  I would appreciate any feedback
>on policies in existence at other Universities as to how a NIH
>postdoctoral trainee is treated within your respective system.
>
>Lynn Johnson
>
>Director, Sponsored Programs
>
>Colorado State University
>
>Ft. Collins, CO  80523-2002
>
>P:  (970) 491-1550
>
>F:  (970) 491-6147
>
>E-mail:  xxxxxx@research.colostate.edu
>
>======================================================================
>Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including
>subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available via
>our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists")
>======================================================================

Herbert B. Chermside, CRA
Director, Sponsored Programs Administration
Virginia Commonwealth University
PO BOX 980568
Richmond, VA  23298-0568
Express Delivery Only:
 Biotech One, Suite 113
 Virginia Biotechnology Research Park
 800 East Leigh Street
 Richmond, VA 23219
Voice:  804-828-6772
Fax     804-828-2521
OFFICE e-mail   xxxxxx@VCU.EDU
Personal e-mail xxxxxx@vcu.edu
http://www.research.vcu.edu/ospa.htm

======================================================================
 Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including
 subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available
 via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists")
======================================================================