Lesson Plan

Healthcare

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Overview

Healthcare can be a confusing issue – one with economic, medical, and social complexities. In this lesson, students will explore the issue of healthcare and the government’s role in its provision. Through engaging discussions, students will have the opportunity to express and discuss their own beliefs regarding the healthcare system

Objectives

  • Develop the ability to engage in civil conversations about healthcare, respecting diverse viewpoints and backgrounds.
  • Hone critical thinking skills through the exploration of different perspectives on the role of government in providing healthcare.
  • Foster collaborative learning by actively participating in group discussions and learning from peers.
  • Enhance research and analysis skills to gain a deeper understanding of healthcare issues and their impact on society.
  • Cultivate empathy and understanding when encountering differences of opinion, promoting respectful dialogue about healthcare
Grade Level
9th - 12th grade
Estimated Time
1 - 2 class periods
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Step-by-Step Guide

Activity

  • Students will spend 20-30 min looking at the Red Blue Translator™ terms listed above or at current events on the Healthcare topic page. 
  • Divide students into small groups, preferably with a mix of biases. 
  • Choose from the following list of discussion questions, and give students time to discuss them in small groups. If time permits, also have students come back into a larger class-wide discussion to share their thoughts.

Discussion Questions:

  • What do you do when you are sick or hurt and you need to go to the doctor?
  • Can you think of reasons why a person might find it difficult to get care when they are sick or hurt?
  • What does it mean to have healthcare coverage?
  • What does it mean to have a right to health?

Healthcare Reform:

  • Who should be responsible for providing healthcare in our society?
  • What is more important–access to healthcare or cost of healthcare?
  • Overall, would you rate existing healthcare coverage in this country as excellent or good?
  • Should Congress should try to reform healthcare gradually as opposed to enacting a comprehensive reform package?
  • Do you support adding taxes on the wealthiest Americans to pay for the healthcare subsidies?
  • Do you think the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) has been successful? Why or why not?
  • How can it be improved?
  • Should the ACA be repealed all together? Why or Why not?

Other Healthcare Questions:

  • Some people see financial incentives and drivers behind health services as a problem – while others do not. What do you think?

Deeper Meaning questions:

  • How are your healthcare needs are met? Are you happy with your healthcare?
  • What do you think is the right balance between individual, business, government and other ways of providing healthcare?
  • What else would you like to say about healthcare?
  • What do you think of businesses who do or don’t provide health insurance for their employees?

Optional Homework:

Have students write a 300 word reflection after the Healthcare class discussion -- what did they learn? Did they have any interesting disagreements? Why do they think discussions about our healthcare systems matter?

This lesson plan can be found at https://www.allsides.com/schools/lessons/healthcare