The LegiSchool Project Essay Contest
Healthcare in California:
Is There a Cure?
Essay Topic:
California spent an estimated $186 billion in healthcare last year, yet one in five residents are still without healthcare coverage, one million of those residents being children. Over 75 percent of the uninsured in California are members of working families who have been rejected for coverage or aren’t offered coverage through their workplace. Is this a problem that needs an immediate solution? Should California offer healthcare coverage to everyone in the state? Several plans are currently being considered by the legislature and the Governor to reform healthcare in California, but which one has the capacity to have the best long term success?Topic Background:
There are three major healthcare reform proposals currently under consideration in California.
Please review the details of each plan at the following websites or by conducting your own research:
Governor’s proposal: www.stayhealthycalifornia.com
SB 840: http://info.sen.ca.gov
AB 8: www.asm.ca.gov
Background on all reform efforts in California can be found at: www.calhealthreform.org
Please answer each question:
- Should the current healthcare system be changed to ensure that more Californians are insured?
- Which one proposal do you think has the best chance for long term success? Please explain why.
- Should individuals, employers or the State be responsible for funding healthcare coverage?
- What are your ideas for changing the healthcare system in California?
Ten Winning Essayists Will Receive:
Round trip travel to Sacramento to take part in a day-long Student Legislative Summit on Thursday, April 3, 2008, which will include:
Participation in a Student-Run Press Conference at the State Capitol with members of the Legislature and policymakers (ideas posed in essays will be used for the press conference).
VIP tour of the State Capitol and a roundtable meeting with members from the Capitol Press Corps and Legislative Staff.
Complimentary lunch at the Capitol and a Student Essay Award Certificate.
Eligibility and Rules:
If you are currently a junior or senior high school student in California you may submit an essay.
The essay must be 750-words or less, typed and double-spaced.
All entries must be postmarked by Friday, January 25, 2008.
Winning essayists will be notified by March 3, 2008.
Include a cover sheet with the following information:
Your name, home address, phone number and email;
the name and address of your school; and the name of the
teacher who distributed this announcement.
Submit Essay To:
California State University, SacramentoCenter for California Studies/LegiSchool
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819-6081
For more information, contact LegiSchool at (916) 278-6906 or legischool@csus.edu.
LegiSchool is a civic education collaboration between California State University, Sacramento,
and the California State Legislature, administered by the Center for California Studies.
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