What To Do With Healthcare?

What To Do With Healthcare?

It’s the start of the season, and you sit down to begin your debate research. You open a Google Doc, type in the year’s resolution, and start scrolling through search results. But then you ask yourself: Where do I even begin? The topic is huge—healthcare reform. What do you ask? What do you search for? How do you tackle such a broad concept? This short blog will guide you through the process of beginning your debate research for this year’s Stoa resolution: The United States Federal Government should substantially reform its policy on healthcare.

Step 1: Start by Thinking About Healthcare

As counterintuitive as it may seem, don’t rush to Google right away. Instead, take a moment to reflect on what you already know. This could mean jotting down ideas, creating a mind map, or simply thinking through your current understanding. What do you already know about healthcare in the U.S.? What are some areas you’re unsure of? What parts of the system seem problematic or confusing? The goal here isn’t to solve the issue but to engage your critical thinking. By first thinking independently, you’ll develop your reasoning skills and avoid simply copying ideas from others. Even if you’ve already started your research, returning to this step can sharpen your focus.

Step 2: Confirm What You Know

Now that you’ve laid out your initial thoughts, it’s time to fact-check. Take the ideas you believe to be true and verify them. Are your assumptions accurate? Is the information you think you “know” actually correct? Building a case on incorrect information can lead to major problems down the road. By confirming what you know now, you avoid those awkward moments during debates where you're caught off guard by a fact you should have checked. Plus, it’s much easier to debate confidently when you have a solid understanding of the topic. Knowing what’s true will also help you stand out from opponents who may not have done the same work.

Step 3: Find the Answers

Here’s where the research really starts. After confirming what you know, you’re ready to dive into the things you don’t know. This is where you begin exploring the vast world of healthcare. Start finding answers to those question you were asking earlier. This can be simple numbers how many people are on Medicare, how many people take drugs, how many drugs are there, how many people die in a hospital every year, how many hospitals are there, how many doctors are there, you get the point. You could ask bigger questions, what power does the WHO have, what are the biggest healthcare challenges the US faces, how do we fix the medical professional shortage, what is the US cost of care compared to other countries, how does the private care in the US compare to its public care, you get the point. Just be curious. Ask questions. Keep going till you find something that sparks you interest and then dig into it. The key here is curiosity. Don’t focus too much on finding the perfect case or negative arguments right away. Instead, immerse yourself in learning. Look for the facts, figures, and information that help you understand the resolution. Bookmark useful links or resources, but don’t worry about forming arguments just yet. This phase is all about understanding the landscape.

Final Thoughts

By the time you’ve followed these three steps, you should have a good sense of the healthcare system, some interesting facts, and maybe even a specific area that has caught your interest. From here, you can start refining your research, narrowing down your focus, and beginning to form the foundations of your case or strategy.
Good luck, and happy researching! God bless.
— Mark Roose
Head Coach Nile Debate
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1 comment

This is why you should listen to the Nile debate podcast…

Jude

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