The purpose of this activity is to get students to realize that there are no easy answers to many of these issues. Have students partner up for this activity. Each student should select one of the opposing viewpoints and engage in a brief debate within their pair groups. Online research is welcome, or students can pull from personal knowledge experience. Once students have completed this activity, ask them to share their answers with the larger group and conduct an instructor-led debrief. Students will find the debate is not black-and-white.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948, proclaims “everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of oneself and one’s family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care.” Hard work and healthy living do not assure being healthy. With the high costs of healthcare, many consumers cannot afford health insurance. The U.S. government seems to be following other industrialized nations in adopting universal healthcare.