Study Circle Three Main Page

• Discussion Guide to Study Circle Three - Printer Friendly Version
  
  
• Study Circle Three Preparatory Materials
  
  

I. Welcome

Coming together and settling in with a brief reading or contemplative activity.

Current Systems
•
Current Proposals

II. Overview

All existing or proposed health care systems answer basic questions. Using the questions on the preparatory materials page to help guide us, we will be sharing what we have learned about systems in other countries and States, as well as those proposed by organization and our current Presidential candidates.

III. Activities for this session

What, Who, How, When, Where, Why?
Using the preparatory questions for this session as your guide discuss the following:

A. Countries:
What are the major differences between the health care systems in Britain, France, Canada and the United States?

B. Proposals:
Your Guide provides information about reform proposals currently being debated in this country:

• The plans offered by our Presidential candidates McCain, Clinton, Obama
  
• Three reform bills introduced in the Congress, and
• The proposal from the Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP).

In your opinion which proposal best addresses the major problems you identified in Session #2? Which of the proposals offers the best solutions and why? Do any of them satisfactorily address our health care crisis? Why? Why not?

C. Opposing Philosophies

Discuss the differences between the points of view of advocates for establishing a universal health care system and those who oppose it.

D. Reform at the State Level

Share your reactions to David Sirota’s essay that addresses health care reform in the State of Washington.

IV. Group Reflection

A. What surprised you the most from the readings, discussions and activities for this session?
B. What moral issue did the readings, discussions and activities raise for you?

V. Next Week

Choose next week’s facilitator, scribe and timekeeper.