Single Payer Health Plan Debate (2)

What a great debate! So much information to wrap our heads around with this one and both sides did a great job
of laying out the arguments.

The con side definitely came prepared with abundant information backed up by sources and often had rebuttals
to the claims made by the pros. The pros also rebutted arguments well (for example, the comment that
prescription drug prices would decrease with a single-payer). The pro side also made some great ethical
arguments (that everyone would be able to see a doctor, that the current system is profit oriented, that health
care is like public education in that it benefits everyone). The pro side missed a good opportunity to rebut the
cons who made the statement that the middle class will take up most of the tax burden, and that single payer is a
program for the poor (ouch!...of course it is!—that’s the point!!). The pros had an ethically stronger argument
here until the cons pointed out that the overall quality of care would drop.

This was a tough one, but with the confidence and quick rebuttals and preparedness of the con side who
supported each other well, the verdict goes to the cons. Had the pros been quicker on their feet and rebutted
claims with multiple pieces of evidence (as did the cons), they would have stood a fighting chance.

Nice debate, both teams!

Gabriel (9), Mateo (3), Emma (2), Oscar (2)

Jennifer (4), Valerie (4), Charu (10), Lucie (2), Monica (3)