1991-1992 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest
SUBJECT: WHAT, IF ANY, SHOULD GOVERNMENT'S ROLE BE REGARDING HEALTH CARE IN THE UNITED STATES?
First
Prize = $100
Second
Prize = $ 50
Third
Prize = $ 25
The prizes will be awarded to the three top essays at every school that enters ten or more
qualifying papers. Schools entering fewer than ten students, or papers that are too short
or do not abide by other rules, will not be considered for prizes. Please consult the
rules. Results of the questionnaire, together with excerpts from qualifying essays, will
be published and sent to the 535 members of congress, the press and other officials around
the country.
RULES
The essay may be the product of a classroom assignment or may be written independently.
Essay must be typed (English only) double spaced, checked for grammatical and spelling errors and be no less than 750 words nor more than 1,000 words in length. Please submit originals; xeroxed copies are not acceptable.
Essays will be judged 50% on evidence of research and 50% on style and thoughtfulness. It is not anticipated that any paper will incorporate all the issues suggested below. However, other things being equal, a paper that argues several valid points will be judged to be of higher quality than a paper that sticks to only one issue. On the other hand, a paper may suffer overall if the writer tries to incorporate too many issues into a 750-1000 word essay.
Suggested Issues:
(1) Health care in the U.S. during the 20 years prior to medicare (1945-1965)
(2) Health care in the U.S. in the 20 years since medicare (1965 to present)
(3) Philosophy--government's role in a capitalist vs a socialist society
(4) Cost of health care to government, state and federal. Cost to private consumers.
(5) Problems of health care providers, nurses, doctors and hospitals.
(6) Malpractice insurance--litigation and excessive testing and medical procedures.
(7) Nursing home vs at home care for the elderly
(8) Demographics and generational equity issues
(9) Burden on business. Who should pay for health care and why?
(10) Rationing care---can we afford to "do it all"?
(11) How other countries provide health services---pros and cons of systems
(12) Health care alternatives presently being debated in Washington DC.
Entries will not be returned, and upon submittal become the property of The Harry Singer Foundation.
Please make copies of the application and questionnaire and distribute them to your students.
Essays, along with the application and questionnaire, must be submitted to the Harry Singer Foundation and postmarked on or before February 17, 1992.
Awards and notification of results will be issued on or before May 20,1992.
Please let us know if, for some reason, you need results earlier.
Each essay must be accompanied by an application and a questionnaire, completed and signed according to instructions. Please send to:
Essay Contest, The Harry Singer Foundation, P.O. Box 223159, Carmel, CA 93922 Back