Research outline due today 12/18 at 11:59

Research Outline Template

Title (e.g. Health Care)

1. Why is this an issue? Why is it important? What is the current state of affairs?

a. X number of American uninsured or underinsured (source).

b. Americans spend X on health insurance (source).

c. Other things you think are important (source).

2. What are the current U.S. federal regulations/policies that affect this issue?

a. The federal government provides health coverage... (source).

b. The federal government regulates... (source).

c. Use as many bullets/numbers/letters as you need to fully answer this question.

3. What are the current regulations/policies of (at least) three other (not the U.S.) countries for dealing with this issue?

a. In Germany (for example)... (source).

i. This has created... (source).

ii. Add more tiers to the outline if you need to.

b. In Japan (for example)... (source).

i. Some criticize... (source).

ii. Others claim... (source).

c. In Switzerland (for example)... (source).

d. Again, these are just examples. Pick other countries if others do things that are interesting.

4. What are the current regulations/policies of (at least) three different states within the United States for dealing with this issue? If there is no variation between the states, describe the different policies the United States has had during (at least) three different times.

a. Minnesota... (source).

i. This costs… (source)

ii. Add as many tiers as you need.

b. Massachusetts... (source).

i. This took effect... (source).

c. Alabama... (source).

i. Add as many tiers as you need.

d. Again, these are just examples. Pick other states if others do things that are interesting.

5. In general, where do the major political parties (and minor parties if you wish) stand on this issue? If they don’t have clear positions on this issue, speculate based on their general ideologies.

a. The Republican Party... (source)

b. The Democratic Party... (source)

c. The Green Party... (source)

d. The Libertarian Party... (source)

6. In your opinion what are the strongest, competing arguments for dealing with this issue? (Pick at least two, competing arguments and summarize them fairly).

a. Some argue that… (source).

i. This would cost... (source).

b. Another different argument says... (source).

i. They would pay for this by... (source).

c. Feel free to mention more than two competing arguments if you want (source).

7. Proposal: what do you think the government should do about this issue and why?

a. Feel free to write several paragraphs for this section. Make sure you fully defend your answer -- preferably based on the research in the previous sections. Since this is your chance to show that you understand and have evaluated the options, this is your most important section of the outline. To make this section as strong as possible, include arguments you disagree with and explain why those are not strong arguments.