Loyola students grab the reins at health care forum

On Tuesday, September 22nd, Loyola students gathered in Knott Hall B03 not only to witness a Tri Beta sponsored health care debate, but to take part in the discussion as well.

The forum, which attracted approximately 35 students, began with an introductory presentation by senior Alice Stoddart of Project Health, entitled, "The U.S. Health Care System: What's Going On," in which she discussed the United States' health care expenditure as compared to that of other countries, the uninsured population of America, and the effect that the recession will have on these people in the future.

After educating the audience about the United States' recent past with health care, Nicholas Centanni, the President of the College Republicans at Loyola, took the floor, discussing a range of topics from the Clinton administration's health care plan failure, to the presentation of his own three point plan, involving the promotion of interstate competition between insurance companies, caps on medical litigation, and a decreased regulation on doctors.

In closing, he summed up his health care philosophy by quoting former President Ronald Reagan, stating that "… if you don't do this and if I don't do it, one of these days you and I are going to spend our sunset years telling our children, and our children's children, what it once was like in America when men were free."

Representing the College Democrats of America at Loyola was their President, Timothy Sugrue, who, unlike Centanni, supported Obama's health care plan, which aims to reduce health care costs so that bankruptcy may be avoided, develop the quality of care, provide coverage to those who have lost their jobs, end insurance coverage barriers to those with pre-existing medical conditions, and overall, guarantee health care plans for all Americans.

Throughout his discussion about the current administration's plans for the health care system, he continuously referred to the age-old concept of quality over quantity, and reinforced his points by sharing a heart-breaking anecdote about a woman, who after being diagnosed with cancer was dropped from her insurance company due to the expensive treatments she would have to undergo.

When both sides had finished presenting their points, Centanni rejoined Sugrue at the front of the lecture hall, and the debate began.

Despite the formal connotation generally associated with the word "debate," this segment of the evening was anything but conventional. The audience was just as much a part of the discussion as the panel, if not more.

Slowly but surely, students came forward with their opinions, ideas, and questions regarding health care; however, this civility did not last long, and the room adapted a new atmosphere, being that of hostility and obstinate thinking.

There was even a point in which Jonathan Sanchez, event coordinator and president of Loyola's Honor Biology Society, Tri Beta, had to play lion tamer by enforcing decorum between the fighting factions in the audience, stating, "… lets not have any attacks here, this is supposed to be a civilized discussion…."

During this instance, a heated argument took a hold of the room over whether or not "the family with several children whose economic state resides right above the poverty line, and after working three jobs a week still cannot afford health care" should be financially aided.

Verbal swords were drawn, and hostile declarations swarmed about the room. Phrases such as "you're being blinded by your own sense of self-righteousness," "money doesn't grow on trees," and "good intentions can often pave the roads to people's downfalls" were thrown around, until one student summarized their claims, stating that "the costs on everybody… [are] going to hurt our society in the long run."

Sanchez originally proposed the idea for the health care forum to his fellow officers with the hopes of educating himself and others about the legislation, and "… really just wanted a decent turn out of students to come to the event, and to have those students engaged within a discussion about the health care system."

Fortunately, Sanchez's plan was a success, as he was both "… pleased with the turn out…" and the "… active audience that was comfortable expressing their perspective on the issue."

Not only was Sanchez satisfied with the outcome of the debate, but the attendees were as well.

Sophomore Walt Montgomery, a member of the College Republicans at Loyola and active participant at the forum, liked the format of the debate, stating that it allowed everyone to "… listen to, present, and share views."

Even those without a background in political affairs found the discussion to be interesting, such as freshman Kaelin Tully who "… thought [the forum] was very informative [as] it exposed the arguments of each party successfully."

For all those who could not attend the debate, have no fear, for this event was just the first of what will hopefully be a series of similar forums, presented by Tri Beta. In regards to these future discussions, Sanchez said, "I would like to see a bigger panel, one that includes both students and professionals… such a panel would… enrich the experience for attendants."