Students listened to fiery arguments surrounding national health-care reform Monday night.
About 60 people sat in the Pugh Hall Auditorium while members of the College Democrats and College Republicans answered questions during the Chomp the Vote Health Care Forum.
Chomp the Vote Director Jenna Stern said the purpose of the debate was to inform students about the issue of health-care reform.
"They now know the Democrat and Republican platforms, where they stand and have a better understanding about why the debate is so heated," she said.
Representing the College Republicans were Bryan Griffin and Johnathan Lott, while Eric Conrad and Ben Cavataro represented the College Democrats.
Each side had one minute to answer each question, and the opposing team had 30 seconds to make a rebuttal.
The panel discussed points such as the fiscal responsibility of the proposed reform strategies, the efficiency of Medicare and Medicaid versus private insurance and other ways besides a public health insurance option that could offer coverage to all Americans. Although both sides had differing opinions on the matters, they agreed reform is necessary.
"We're both trying to achieve the same goal here," Griffin said. "We're both trying to keep people alive for as long as possible."
Throughout the debate, the College Republicans argued against a public option for health care, while the College Democrats were in favor of it.
"This is a chance for people to choose their care, stay alive longer and have a better quality of life," Conrad said.
"I think if somebody was undecided, hopefully they have made up their mind by the end of the night," said sophomore Jacob Smith, a member of the College Democrats.
Smith said he thought the debate was a little redundant at times but was very informative.
Stern said she was glad the debate brought the issue to the attention of the students.
"Chomp the Vote really wants to engage students," she said. "Our job is to register and educate the campus about what's going on locally, in the state and in the nation."
Stern said the two groups asked Chomp the Vote to set up the debate. She said they might consider hosting similar events in the future. For now, she said, this was just a forum for students to argue their opinions on a national issue.
