Universal Healthcare Debate "Housekeeping" (02:52)

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Moderator John Donvan states the motion, explains the debate format, and instructs the audience to vote.

For the Motion: Paul Krugman (07:47)

Princeton University and London School of Economics professor and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman makes a moral argument for universal health care, and cites Medicare as a successful example.

Against the Motion: John Stossel (07:53)

FOX business news anchor and commentator John Stossel argues that universal healthcare is inefficient and removes free market innovation incentives.

For the Motion: Michael Rachlis (07:45)

Physician and health policy analyst Michael Rachlis cites statistics showing the Canadian universal healthcare system is more efficient than the U.S. by focusing on equity and cost control.

Against the Motion: Sally Pipes (08:01)

Pacific Research Institute CEO Sally C. Pipes cites examples of inefficient healthcare in Canada and argues that universal coverage should be achieved through a free market system.

For the Motion: Art Kellerman (07:27)

Emory University health policy and emergency medicine professor Art Kellermann relates treating an uninsured patient and argues for a regulated healthcare market.

Against the Motion: Michael Cannon (07:53)

Cato Institute Director of Health Policy Studies Michael F. Cannon argues that universal healthcare will cost more, be less efficient, and will not solve existing problems such as medical error.

Predebate Audience Vote Results (00:34)

For: 49% - Against: 24% - Undecided: 27%

Profit-Healthcare Conflict (03:21)

John Stossel (against) argues that universal coverage would impede innovation; Art Kellerman (for) argues that the pharmaceutical industry should be regulated.

Medicare System (02:48)

Paul Krugerman (for) and Sally Pipes (against) debate whether Medicare is functioning sustainably.

Canadian Healthcare (03:10)

Sally Pipes (against) and Michael Rachlis (for) debate whether the Canadian system compromises quality for universal coverage.

Private Medicare (01:53)

Art Kellerman (for) cites inefficiencies in an experimental private health plan administering Medicare; Michael Cannon (against) argues that universal systems impede innovation.

QA: Healthcare Economics (02:13)

Paul Krugerman (for) argues that financial ruin from medical costs is preventable; Michael Cannon (against) argues that bankruptcy is rising fastest among Medicare members.

QA: Triage Healthcare Debate (01:27)

Sally Pipes (against) argues that a universal system will deny elderly patients some benefits.

QA: Insurance Conflict of Interest (03:59)

John Stossel (against) argues that the healthcare market is self-regulating; Paul Krugerman (for) defends community rating laws against denying coverage of preexisting conditions.

QA: Healthcare and Global Competition (06:09)

Michael Rachlis (for) argues that health insurance cannot function within a traditional economic model; Sally Pipes and Michael Cannon (against) argue for insurance market deregulation.

QA: Mayo Clinic Model (00:51)

Art Kellerman (for) argues that the Mayo clinic is efficient but prohibitively expensive.

QA: Employer Based Coverage (02:38)

Sally Pipes (against) and Paul Krugerman (for) debate whether employer health insurance should be discarded in an individual marketplace.

Closing Statement Against: John Stossel (02:16)

Stossel argues that universal healthcare will be more expensive to taxpayers, and the individual insurance market will self-regulate.

Closing Statement For: Paul Krugerman (01:42)

Krugerman argues that Medicare shows that the government can run healthcare, and that we should have a federal guarantee.

Closing Statement Against: Sally Pipes (02:16)

Pipes cites inefficiencies in the Canadian healthcare system and Quebec's legalization of private insurance as proof that government cannot run healthcare.

Closing Statement For: Michael Rachlis (02:18)

Rachlis argues that conservatives distort facts about Canadian healthcare system, and that it is in the process of improving quality of care.

Closing Statement Against: Michael Cannon (01:37)

Cannon argues that consumers should have the right to choose their health plan, and universal coverage won't make us healthier.

Closing Statement For: Art Kellerman (02:23)

Kellerman argues that the private insurance industry has restricted consumer freedom, and makes a moral case for universal coverage.

Time to Vote (02:50)

Donvan instructs the audience to vote and introduces the next Intelligence Squared debate.

Audience Vote Results (00:36)

Predebate For: 49% - Against: 24% - Undecided: 27% Post-debate For: 58% - Against: 34 % - Undecided: 8%

Credits: Universal Health Coverage Should Be the Federal Government’s Responsibility: A Debate (00:18)

Credits: Universal Health Coverage Should Be the Federal Government’s Responsibility: A Debate