Debate "Housekeeping" (03:59)

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Moderator John Donvan frames the debate on replacing private insurance with Medicare and introduces panelists.

Opening Statement For: Adam Gaffney (06:18)

Gaffney, president of Physicians for a National Health Program, states that the U.S. has the world's costliest health care system. He cites three main problems of the system and how a single-payer system provides resolutions.

Opening Statement Against: Nick Gillespie (06:39)

Reason Editor-at-Large Gillespie cites universal health care desires and questions how to reach those goals. He discusses Medicare for All in terms of general economics; the system will kill innovation.

Opening Statement For: Joseph Sanberg (06:31)

Aspiration.com Co-founder Sanberg states an increase in freelance and unpredictable jobs is the main reason for the U.S. poverty crisis; employer-based health insurance is antiquated. A single-payer health care system will solve the crisis. Sanberg cites examples of how the current system is broken.

Opening Statement Against: Sally Pipes (06:25)

Pacific Research Institute CEO Pipes cites misconceptions about Medicare for All and the impact of this type of system in the U.K. and Canada. Payment structure is the only thing the single-payer system borrows from Medicare; it is not free.

Health Care: A Human Right (08:47)

Donvan summarizes opening statements. Pipes identifies health care as goods and services, and questions the rights of care. Gaffney counters that health care should be a right. Gillespie considers rights versus efficacy and Sanberg considers health care versus health insurance.

Universal Health Care (05:21)

Gillespie discusses Medicaid and Medicare. Gaffney argues that those who are "doing OK" are only doing so until they get sick and counters arguments about the failures of single-payer systems; Pipes disagrees.

Medicare for All Cost Cutting (06:59)

Panelists debate the origin of savings, wasteful spending, and profit motive. Gaffney states that approximately 10% of health care spending goes to physician salaries. Pipes reiterates single-payer system failures.

Single-Payer System Failures (04:26)

Gaffney acknowledges that some wait times in Canada are long, but same-day and next-day appointments are more likely in other single-payer systems. Pipes cites health statistics and the prevalence of innovation. Sanberg counters that American lifespans are decreasing.

Q/A: Medicare System (02:29)

Gillespie does not believe age should be the basis for any entitlement; he favors a free market health care system. Medicare for All would eliminate the current Medicare and Medicaid systems, Indian Services Plan, and the V.A.

Q/A: Health Care Utopia (04:11)

Sanberg argues that Medicare for All will bring transparency to the health care system, increase research and outcomes, and improve quality. Gillespie counters that a single-payer system will hinder knowledge about costs; Pipes cites Canadian examples.

Q/A: Market Forces (04:08)

Gillespie states that private health insurance has some market forces, but they are askew because of government regulation. Gaffney argues that the U.S. health care system cannot be treated as a market good; Medicare for All will reduce demand. Pipes argues that demand will soar.

Q/A: Patient Responsibility (01:48)

Gaffney argues that missed appointments are not a problem and people will not abuse the accessibility of Medicare for All. Pipes disagrees and cites an example from Canada.

Q/A: Market Forces and Transparency (01:36)

Gillespie compares market force transparency in health care to transparency in a grocery store.

Closing Statement For: Gaffney (02:37)

The last thing sick patients should have to worry about is how to pay the bill. A single-payer health care system will control cost, reduce waste, and expand coverage.

Closing Statement Against: Gillespie (02:25)

Gillespie describes his experience with an HMO. Increasing demand and not addressing supply results in "maxed out" care.

Closing Statement For: Sanberg (02:13)

Medicare uses two cents of every dollar to pay for administrative costs and serves 60 million people. Private health care uses 20 cents of every dollar and leaves 80 million people uninsured or under-insured.

Closing Statement Against: Pipes (02:27)

The U.S. health care system needs reform, but Medicare for All will result in higher taxes, longer wait times, and rationed care. Pipes cites examples of single-payer system failures.

Time to Vote and Voting Results (02:25)

Donvan instructs the audience to vote and thanks panelists. Pre-debate For: 36% - Against: 35% - Undecided: 29% Post-debate For: 40% - Against: 51% - Undecided: 9%

Credits: Replace Private Insurance with Medicare for All: A Debate (00:10)

Credits: Replace Private Insurance with Medicare for All: A Debate