College Republicans and Democrats had a spirited debate which exposed the ideological differences which lay at the crux of this divisive healthcare issue.

"Is the problem with American healthcare an over-reliance on the free market or the fact that nothing almost close to a free market really exists in this country?" asked Jon Hollander for the College Republicans.

"I therefore am opposed to any healthcare solution that does not include the free market,' said fellow College Republican Tyler Trumbach.

Sarah Gidin for the college Democrats argued,"Public option is about increasing choice and ensuring that everyone has at least a basic level of care which we are sorely lacking today."

Tensions ran high at times as both sides felt very strongly about the right approach to healthcare.

"There was a lot more audience interaction for this particular debate I think because this has been such an inflamed political discussion," remarked Learned Foote, who was in the audience.

"Individuals should have health insurance of your own so that when you lose your job, you don't lose your insurance," argued the Republicans.

"Government option simply costs more money than a free market solution."

Yet, for all their differences, both speakers and the audience agreed on the importance of debate.

Kate Gorman, BC'10, said,"When it comes to divisive issues, especially something like healthcare, I think it is critically important that we have more debate about what's the best option. You know the kind of idea is that two heads are better than one, and four heads are better than two, and I think that by having more debates we clearly expose some of the options."