Health Care 2024: Harris vs. Trump: What do their platforms promise for improving US Heath Care?
Professors Emeriti Philip Cowan and Kenneth Polse, Professors Emeriti
Psychology and School of Optometry
Applications for Fall 2024 are closed for this project.
Background:
Uncertainty about the ability obtain affordable, accessible and quality health care remains a serious problem for many Americans. The cost of health care continues to outpace inflation and many Americans, even those who have insurance are unable to afford health care. Therefore, issues related to affordability and access to care will be a major focus in the upcoming Presidential election. Both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are making various proposals to improve the present system. Unfortunately, for many Americans, understanding the complexities of US Health Care Delivery can be confusing and adding to this confusion is the enormous amount of disinformation that is being circulated to the public through the media (e.g., TV, advertising, social media, etc.). In order for voters to make an informed decision the guide will provide an easy to understand summary of each candidates proposals for improving US health Care.
The Project:
Students will review the Harris and Trump plans for improved health care delivery. After obtaining an understanding of what the candidates are proposing, they will evaluate each specific goal/s, summarizing both the positive and negative parts of each proposal. Based on this information, the students will construct a non-partisan Voter’s Guide listing each of candidate’s proposals. This guide will be circulated to the general University community and to other groups to help voters understand the issues and proposed solutions offered by Harris and Trump. To be available in time for review, the “guide” will need to be completed no later than October 20, 2024. Following the November elections, the students will continue to meet with Professors Cowan and Polse to evaluate the possible impact that the guide had on the voter and also to discuss the implications of the election for US Health Care Policy after 2024.
Strategy:
During the first 2 weeks, students will devote their efforts to learning about the most pressing issues facing US Health Care (e.g., medical insurance coverage, prescription drug costs, access, affordability, etc.). The first week of the semester, students will be given reading material along 2-3 hours of discussion with Professors Cowan and Polse. After gaining an overall understanding of the major issues impacting affordable, accessible and quality health care, the apprentices will evaluate the Harris and Trump platform and determine how each candidate proposes to address these issues. With this information, students will begin their own review of the current proposals and how these “new” plans may change US Health Care. Two hour/s (or more if needed) per week the students and mentors will meet via zoom or in person to discuss progress and answer question and additional 4-6 hrs. of individual research will be required to obtain the information needed to complete the voter’s guide.
Students:
1. 3rd or 4th year 2. Interest in Health Care Policy 3. Public Health 150D (recommended but not required)
2. Time:
a. 6-8 hr./week
b. *Meetings with Professors Cowan & Polse will be ~2h/week and will be both “in-person” and “remotely”.
Role: During the first 2 weeks, students will devote their efforts to learning about the most pressing issues facing US Health Care (e.g., medical insurance coverage, prescription drug costs, access, affordability, etc.). The first week of the semester, students will be given reading material along 2-3 hours of discussion with Professors Cowan and Polse. After gaining an overall understanding of the major issues impacting affordable, accessible and quality health care, the apprentices will evaluate the Harris and Trump platform and determine how each candidate proposes to address these issues. With this information, students will begin their own review of the current proposals and how these “new” plans may change US Health Care. Two hour/s (or more if needed) per week the students and mentors will meet via zoom or in person to discuss progress and answer question and additional 4-6 hrs. of individual research will be required to obtain the information needed to complete the voter’s guide.
Qualifications: 1. 3rd or 4th year
2. Interest in Health Care Policy
3. Public Health 150D (desirable but not essential)
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Philip Cowan, Kenneth Polse
Hours: 6-8 hrs
Social Sciences