September 17, 2008 5:43PM 

# Results of IQ2 Debate on Universal Coverage 

By [Michael F. Cannon](https://www.cato.org/people/michael-f-cannon) 

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The results are in from last night’s Intelligence Squared [debate](http://intelligencesquaredus.org/Event.aspx?Event=30) on universal health coverage:

- Before the debate, 49 percent of the audience was pro-universal coverage, 24 percent anti‑, and 27 percent undecided.
- After the debate, 58 percent of the audience was pro‑, 34 percent anti‑, and 8 percent undecided.

As many have noted, the anti- side won over more of the undecideds (10 percentage points) than did the pro- side (9 percentage points). Considering this was a crowd of mostly Manhattan denizens, I’m pleasantly surprised by the outcome.

And I’m now prepared to induct John Stossel into the [Anti-Universal Coverage Club](https://www.cato.org/?s=anti-universal+coverage+club). Sally Pipes I’m still not sure about; you can judge for yourself when the IQ2 folks post the transcript of the debate [here](http://intelligencesquaredus.org/Event.aspx?Event=30).

**EDITOR’S NOTE:** See clarification concerning Pipes [here](https://www.cato.org/2008/09/19/a-clarification/).

##### Related Tags 

[General](https://www.cato.org/general), [Health Care](https://www.cato.org/health-care) 

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