Name: ______Period: ______
Position Paper
Overview:
Check your writing for correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Guidelines:
In this test, you will be writing about texts that you will be listening to or reading.
Your writing will be scored on
• how clearly you organize your writing and express what you have learned
• how accurately and completely you answer the questions being asked
• how well you support your responses with examples or details from the texts
• how correctly you use grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and
paragraphing
How to tackle a writing task…
A / Attack the prompt!· Circle the verbs (the words that tell you to do something)
· Draw an arrow from the verb to what it is asking you to do
· Number your verbs
B / Brainstorm possible answers
· Find information or examples to support your verbs
C / Choose the order of your response
· Organize the paragraphs in your essay
D / Detect errors
(or “Doh, I can’t believe I did that!”)
· Read your completed essay and check for Super COPS:
o Capitalization
o Organization
o Punctuation
o Spelling
Barack Obama's Vision for Health Care Reform
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Forbes Magazine: 11/05
Successful health care reform eluded both Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. It could be argued that one tried a bit harder at it than the other, but there's little question that the issue will command a significant amount of Barack Obama's attention after he's sworn into office--in large part because the people who elected him care so much about it.
Though 62% of voters ranked the economy as their chief concern, according to exit polls conducted Tuesday by the Associated Press and major television networks, 9% of voters listed health care as a primary concern. That trailed the number of voters worried about Iraq by only 1% and tied the percentage of those troubled by terrorism.
In Depth: Obama's Health Care Plan
Though some experts don't expect to see major changes until 2010, Obama's proposal has set the tone for a debate about how to cut rising costs while providing insurance to 45 million Americans. While certain elements of Obama's proposal could be modified, at its core are principles that would change health care delivery and coverage in the U.S.
The Key Points
The cornerstones of Obama's plan are to expand Medicaid eligibility to include greater numbers of the uninsured; mandate coverage for children; create a national exchange through which the uninsured could purchase a public or private policy; provide subsidies to lower-income individuals and small businesses to help defray the cost of purchasing insurance; and, tax medium- to large-size firms that decline to provide their employees with health insurance.
Consumers currently with insurance would face no change in their status, unless their company chooses to stop providing employer-sponsored insurance and instead contributes to the national exchange. Small businesses would be exempt from mandatory coverage or contributions and would receive a tax credit of up to 50% on health care premiums for employees.
What Happens Next
In addition to the cost problem, there are other significant unknowns. Obama has yet to explain how he intends to finance health care reform or what size of businesses qualify for tax credits and which would be taxed. Rowland says many of the specifics will be tackled as Obama drafts a budget, which is traditionally presented by new presidents in late March or early April.
John McCain's Vision for Health Care Reform
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Forbes Magazine: 11/08
John McCain believes the key to health care reform is to restore control to the patients themselves. We want a system of health care in which everyone can afford and acquire the treatment and preventative care they need. Health care should be available to all and not limited by where you work or how much you make. Families should be in charge of their health care dollars and have more control over care.
John McCain will reform health care, making it easier for individuals and families to obtain insurance. An important part of his plan is to use competition to improve the quality of health insurance with greater variety to match people's needs, lower prices, and portability. Families should be able to purchase health insurance nationwide, across state lines.
John McCain will reform the tax code to offer more choices beyond employer-based health insurance coverage. While still having the option of employer-based coverage, every family will receive a direct refundable tax credit - effectively cash - of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families to offset the cost of insurance. Families will be able to choose the insurance provider that suits those best and the money would be sent directly to the insurance provider. Those obtaining innovative insurance that costs less than the credit can deposit the remainder in expanded Health Savings Accounts.
John McCain proposes making insurance more portable. Americans need insurance that follows them from job to job. They want insurance that is still there if they retire early and does not change if they take a few years off to raise the kids.
John McCain will encourage and expand the benefits of health savings accounts (HSAs) for families. When families are informed about medical choices, they are more capable of making their own decisions and often decide against unnecessary options. Health Savings Accounts take an important step in the direction of putting families in charge of what they pay for.
Planning Page
You may PLAN your writing for the question here if you wish, but do NOT write
your final answer on this page. Your writing on this Planning Page will NOT
count toward your final score. Write your final answer on Pages 6,7,8 and 9.
Final Answer
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