Smaller Indiana announces debate on healthcare

Smaller Indiana, a statewide online community, announces its first in a series of upcoming public debates.  The debate will be held on the evening of Friday, August 14th at the IndyFringe Building, at 719 East St. Clair Street in Indianapolis.

The topic for this first debate is: Healthcare - A Right or a Privilege?  It will be argued by two opposing teams each endorsing one of the two sides of the argument.  

“Lively discussions are an integral part of our online community,” said Smaller Indiana founder, Pat Coyle.  Taking the discussions to a live venue is a natural extension of what we already do on line. We are excited to be hosting what we hope will be the first in a series of discussions this fall.

Admission is free, but reservations are required and a $10 donation to Indy Fringe is suggested. All money collected will go to support IndyFringe.  

Here's a sneak peek at the debate teams:

Arguing Healthcare is a Privilege
Mr. Randy Suttles, former CEO of Medical Savings Insurance
Dr. Ben Park, CEO, American Health Network
Michael Hicks, PhD., Economist, Ball State
 

Arguing Healthcare is a Right
Eric Meslin, Director of Indiana University Center for Bioethics
Eric Wright, Associate Dean of the Indiana University School of Public & Environmental Affairs
TBD other members

Special thanks to Pauline Moffat at Indy Fringe for loaning us their newly renovated and AIR CONDITIONED space.  It offers a wonderful place for our debate. It's a simple room with a stage. The room holds 80 people plus the debaters. Please reserve your seat early!

Smaller Indiana Debate Guidelines and Audience Participation
The debate teams will be asked to follow formal debate procedures. Each team will make introductory remarks, followed by rebuttals from the other team. Then each team offer its main arguments, and answer questions from the opposing team as well as the audience. Finally each team will put forth its closing arguments.

After the formal debate, each team will also have an opportunity to offer application points or calls to action vis a vis pending healthcare legislation. During this period, we may also offer an "open mic" for attendees to offer their opinions. Still working out the details...but looking for ways to get the audience involved.

When it's over, adult beverages will be served :-)