In the heat of the national health- care debate, UW-Madison student organizations are beginning to rally students on both sides of the issue.
The College Democrats of Madison kicked off their Health Care Week of Action Monday by screening Michael Moore's documentary, ""Sicko."" They also plan to host a health-care panel and a letter-writing campaign throughout the week.
According to Molly Rivera, College Democrats chair, the purpose of the weeklong event is ""educating students on the effects of current health-care system and educating them on the benefits of reform.""
Rivera also said members from College Democrats will be on Library Mall Wednesday and Thursday to encourage students to contact their state legislators.
She said College Democrats chose this week because President Obama is calling on everyone nationally to push congress to pass health-care reform, and College Democrats decided to take a local approach on the issue by involving students on campus.
The UW-Madison College Republicans have not yet planned any specific events, however, they said they intend to plan some interactive events for students now that Associated Students of Madison have delegated funding to campus student organizations.
""It's been really hard to create a firm stance on health care because it's constantly changing, that's why we haven't made a statement yet,"" said Stephen Duerst, College Republicans chair. ""[However] we believe the government health-care plan is too far-reaching, it's big government and it will be ineffective and inefficient.""
Furthermore, Duerst said the health-care reform options posed by the president will not include choice for people. As an organization, the College Republicans do not agree with government telling hospitals and health-care providers what to do and taxing them.
