Americans cheer "SiCKO," but not all convinced »
Posted by: STONERS 1 year, 1 month ago199 Comments Report this Story
Fresh from the hospital and still hurting from a $757 prescription drug bill, moviegoer Ron Jackson emerged from a screening of Michael Moore's documentary on the U.S. health system feeling outraged and exuberant.
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STONERS1 year, 1 month ago
"It's a great movie," said Jackson, 63. "I have insurance, and I still paid over $700 for one prescription -- just 30 days' worth. They've let Wall Street control the whole thing, it's as plain as the nose on my face."
Moore won an Academy Award for 2002's anti-gun documentary "Bowling for Columbine." He made more enemies -- and drew the label "enemy of America" from the right -- with a critical look at President George W. Bush's war on terrorism in his 2004 documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11."
"SiCKO" tells the stories of Americans who say they were denied life-saving treatment by insurers. The film has received mixed reviews, with some criticizing it for a lack of substantive comparison of the U.S. health-care system with that of countries that offer universal health care.
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universal121 year, 1 month ago
I liked this movie very much, it was very powerful. I spoke about this another time on netscape so I won't go into great detail but, I think what he did was good and it really showed a lot of the American's who do have health care how bad it really is for the ones who don't. It also shows how all these other countries are enjoying their FREE health care. It was ironic though to see the jailed terrorists getting the best free health care while others are suffering so much. Of course they should have health care but, so should everyone else. It's sad.
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PapaWolf1 year, 1 month ago
>>it really showed a lot of the American's who do have health care how bad it really is for the ones who don't.
What about those of us who DO have health care? Our premiums keep going up, our co-pays keep increasing, & the covered items keep going down.
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ScottMiller1 year, 1 month ago
Powerful? It is a nonstop cheap shot fest just like every other thing that Mr. Moore produces. Michael Moore said him self in an interview with Wolf Blitzer that in no uncertain terms that he went out of his way to show only the good side of universal health and the bad side of US Health care.
He said that there are plenty of people who talk about the bad side of Canadian and British health care so he wanted to talk about the the good for a change. The problem is that this movie sweeps all of the bad under the rug.
This is a silly rabble rousing movie that only inflames the divisions in the health care debate since it makes absolutely no effort to compare the pro's and con's of both sides of the universal health care debate. But then that movie would not make nearly the money that this one will now would it.
I guess profit wins out over intelligent discourse.
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Beeboppin711 year, 1 month ago
Sorry, I'm not quite sure how I voted this comment as negative. I would go to the doctor to see if I have a palsy but it just cost too darn much. You can neg a comment of mine as pay back.
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earthlingerer1 year, 1 month ago
I live in a european country where you're covered if you have a job. The health care is actually above most large city hospitals in the US.
But if we go to the emergency room, we have to wait almost fifteen minutes sometimes! That's enough to be the difference between life and, well, more pain.
I can walk into the hospital with a problem at 9am, see one doctor, then a specialist, get x rays/whatever, and get out the front door by noon, without an appointment!
I can't wait for my SS checks to finally start from all the years I worked in the US, I'll have them sent here!
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MysticKarma1 year, 1 month ago
I would love to only wait 15 mins. in an emergency room. Last night I took my son to the ER. We were there for 4 and a half hours, And he never did get to see a Doctor. We had to leave. We were in the waiting room for 2 hours then in the ER room for 2 and a half hours. I have insurance and still had to wait that long. It's really a shame.
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Music03ph1 year, 1 month ago
If you (only) have to wait (15) mins in an ER then I would say you have been well taken care of and/or never had to go to an ER while you lived in the US. Add: tests, the company in another city or state that reads tests, the Hospitalist, because your family physician cannot admit you if they are not on their list, when you get your bill you have all sorts of unexplanable charges. You see a specialist without waiting a few weeks? If you aren't sick enough when you go in you will be when you get your bills so just deal with it because you didn't have to accept the treatment or have the care. There are no doctors in any other country that have any medical knowledge, they are all stupid and uneducated, and everyone comes to US for superior health care. We have no right to complain because we need to stop wanting freebies and expect our government to take care of us and should have planned better for our future ailments and noone owes you medical treatment or health insurance.
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PapaWolf1 year, 1 month ago
>>We have no right to complain because we need to stop wanting freebies and expect our government to take care of us and should have planned better for our future ailments and noone owes you medical treatment or health insurance.
You're wrong. We DO have a right to complain, especially when the insurance co's we pay do everything in their power to refuse as much coverage as they can. When I pay insurance premiums, I AM owed medical treatment - especially when my co-pays keep going up.
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ecotourusa1 year, 1 month ago
viemie-
what about the illegal aliens that don't pay anything and are awarded health care as if the ER is the primary care physician.
I wonder Michael Moore's take on that issue.
we had a hospital here close its doors as a result of the drain. now, there's no hospital on the barrier island. you can only hope there is no drowning and you don't get the bridge as well on the way to the next closest hospital.
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ecotourusa1 year, 1 month ago
I'm of the same mindset. I only hope I'm in my car if something should happen...I'm covered there!
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ScottMiller1 year, 1 month ago
I think that he should be the poster boy for Health Savings Accounts. You buy insurance with High deductibles, $2,500 to $3,500, and open an interest bearing savings account that allows you to deposit up to $3,500 pretax dollars. You get a Visa Check Card for the account and you can use the money to buy common medical supplies and prescriptions at the insurance companies discounted prices.
I am a forty year old single man and it costs me $120 per month. I am self employed so I have to buy direct from Blue Cross of Florida. I am in good health, so I rarely have to touch the Savings account which has grown to about $10,000 in the past five years. When I need to see the doctor, I don't have to check to see if he is on the right list. I just go and hand him my Visa. So I get all the preemptive medical care that I need and I don't have to go through all of the HMO crap.
America, what a country.
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bonedaddy1 year, 1 month ago
Health Savings Accounts might be a prudent way to to afford Botox treatments or other forms of elective surgery but it doesn't address at all the need for Universal Coverage since it continues the practice of granting treatment to only those who can afford it. It might help, but it will only help those who can afford to help themselves.
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chevydog1 year, 1 month ago
vieamie2004 --
I applaud your luck. I was going to try the same thing, but my wife talked me out of it. As fate would have it, two months later I was diagnosed with a type of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Had been in pretty good health with absolutely no family history of cancer. But the disease hadn't heard about that. Luck plays a big part.
Never could understand the antipathy toward government health care vs. whatever we have now. I haven't had to be treated in other countries. But here I've been pushed into what I thought was unnecessary testing by a doc who seemed eager to support the hospital's most recent gadget acquisition.
We've obviously got a convoluted and rather irrational system now. Don't know that Michael Moore has the answer, but improving on the current system doen't seem like it'd take much.
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ScottMiller1 year, 1 month ago
I totally agree with you. My point is not that we are perfect. My point is that universal health care is not the answer. We definitely need to fix some things, but taking the competition incentive out of medicine is not the answer. If it were, there would be lines of Americans in Canada and Britain trying to get health care there instead of the other way around.
The truth is that though our system may have flaws, we consistently turn out some of the best medical science in the world and continue to extend the life expectancy and quality of life of Americans every day.
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Natureboy1 year, 1 month ago
"taking the competition incentive out of medicine is not the answer."
The competition is already OUT of medicine. If you are insured, you don't pay the healthcare provider, an insurance company does.
And it is not like health care is something you can take or leave. Gotta have it.
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bonedaddy1 year, 1 month ago
Chewdog,
I just came across an article yesterday on possible life-saving drugs for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. They are Bexxar and Zevalin. They are both FDA approved treatments that have proved to be quite successful in treating this disease, the fifth most common cancer in the U.S.
The drugs have not been clinically proven to prolong survival, but patients are more likely to respond to them than to standard treatments like chemotherapy.
The downside: It treatment isn't covered by insurance carriers and the procedure costs $25,000 a pop.
Also, because oncologist have financial incentives to use other drugs than Bexxar and Zevalin and because they are not paid to administer the procedure, they tend to only prescribe the treatment as a last resort.
We need to move forward in this country to remove the profit motive in determining what the BEST medicine and treatment is for a patient.
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k21bl1 year, 1 month ago
vieamie, things can change in the blink of an eye! your $25.000 could be wiped out with one hospital visit.
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Macondo1 year, 1 month ago
It is OK for you to stay uncovered and I believe we should be given the freedom of choice.
However for a large number of Americans with preexisting conditions, or average income with average health the burden of medical expenses is not afordable.
There is nothing wrong with spreading the cost of insurances so the more expensive averages with the less expensive at any time. Universal care is a form of insurance, it is not medical care by the government!
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TOtheMOON1 year, 1 month ago
It's interesting that woman who would not support universal healthcare refused to see this movie. Is it because she knows that this movie might change her mind? This movie doesn't give those against universal heathcare much ammunition, that's for sure.
People seem perfectly content on paying billions to those who refuse to support them when they need the support the most. That just doesn't make sense to me.
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UBCONFUSE1 year, 1 month ago
If Michael Moore is involved, excuse me, but I am skeptical.
This movie is similar to a graduate level class in statistics to took and the first thing the professor said was. This class is the pinnacle in statistics, but you could also describe it as the study of how to tell believable lies supported by numbers that are even more believable.
What we learned over the semester was that combining a series of worthless data with a front story, would fool all of the people nearly all of the time.
The primary lesson we learned from a very smart man was to be skeptical and to do our own research.
Whenever I hear Michael Moore, I remember this class and say to myself, Moore has an agenda and will misrepresent, quote of of context, lie, cheat and steal anything to get you to do one thing- see his movie. In so doing, Mr. Moore separates you from your money. This was goal one. The message from the movie was just a front to obtain that goal. The US has the best health care on planet Earth.
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Beeboppin711 year, 1 month ago
"The US has the best health care on planet Earth."
What are you basing this assumption on? Where are you doing your research? Have you ever received in care in another country on this planet? Are you aware of the plans that are being proposed in congress to reform health care in this country? How will these reforms affect you?
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UBCONFUSE1 year, 1 month ago
Wow, thanks for getting so excited. For all of you that could not agree with my comments, consider this.
1) I am 60 and have a life time of experience with American health care.
2) I am an employer and have 30 years experience with employee health problems and health insurance problems.
3) Bottom line, the US Health Care System is the best on the planet, but;
a) It is expensive.
b) Poor people are not turned away from non-profit hospitals and most for-profit hospitals readily accept the poor and non-citizens for emergency care who have zero insurance.
The US Health Care System is not perfect, but it is far better than anything in Europe, Asia or Canada.
For proof, please look at the large number of Canadian citizens who fill up the hospitals just across the US border. Knee surgery, hip replacement, heart bypass, angioplasty, and many other procedures are sought by Canadians on a fee for service basis when the same services are free in Canada. Why is obvious! The US is better/safer
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TOtheMOON1 year, 1 month ago
"The primary lesson we learned from a very smart man was to be skeptical and to do our own research."
So, now is your opportunity to share with us what your research shows, which this "very smart man" taught you to do, which you have used as your basis to be skeptical of MM and this movie, "Sicko".
Are you sure it isn't just because you don't like MM?
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chevydog1 year, 1 month ago
I am hardly a Michael Moore disciple.
But if we have "the best health care on planet Earth", one would think that it would translate into something concrete--like longer life span, lower infant mortality, things like that. It doesn't seem to. Possible conclusions: we don't have "the best health care on planet Earth"; or "the best health care on planet Earth" doesn't affect these basic measurements; or ???
From a strictly functional standpoint, it wouldn't seem to be very wise to have a superior product and not be able to put it in the hands of people who would like to have it.
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beachboy60001 year, 1 month ago
"But if we have "the best health care on planet Earth", one would think that it would translate into something concrete--like longer life span, lower infant mortality, things like that. It doesn't seem to."
I agree it does not seem to but not because of the health care system. Its because we Americans are fat beyond belief and go from drive thru to drive thru throwing down our super-sized meals.
Yes, I am including you Michael Moore. My GOD could he be ANY fatter?
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ONEMEMPHISDUDE1 year, 1 month ago
..Thanks UB..!! I too will not see a Micheal Moore film. The guy has no credibility. This is another "Hillary for President" propaganda piece. Remember, Health Care represents 1/7th of the national economy. Do we really want our health care system run by the same people who run our post office? Thank G_d for Fed-X!!!!
I am friends with many foreign medical students who came HERE to study medicine. They are sharp, they are eager,...and they recognize that our heath care is the best in the world!
Note to Micheal Moore: Lose the beard and about 100 lbs. You are a walking heart attack waiting to happen!
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pevarebed1 year, 1 month ago
America is indeed attractive to doctors. Besides I am pretty sure that most of these foreign medical students come from developping countries. The reasons is simple: they earn their life better.
Undoubtly, the top 1% doctors are very good. But obviously, the average efficency and knowledge of a doctor in the US is far below that of an average doctor in Europe.
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puffin1 year, 1 month ago
"Mr. Moore separates you from your money."
Then download it from some BitTorrent. atlas shrugged's boyfriend - braveone/Rhodente - has a good link. Get it off him.
edit (sry Stoney): I'm sure Moore wouldn't care. Just as long as you saw the film before making any assumptions.
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Music03ph1 year, 1 month ago
Maybe you would be better of if you looked outside your box of Michael Moore and look at his message.
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Macondo1 year, 1 month ago
UBCONFUSE, you are confussed.
Check on the data from World Health Organization. and other independent sources.
The US is well below many European Asian and even Latin American countries.
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THOMNH621 year, 1 month ago
Moore is the sicko, do all you people realize that his scenario is socialism, it does not work, tax everyone through the nose and give it to governmt for redistribution. Who decides how much is enough, Hillary?
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TOtheMOON1 year, 1 month ago
"Who decides how much is enough, Hillary?"
You have come up with a brilliant idea!! Great job, THOMNH62!!
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ONEMEMPHISDUDE1 year, 1 month ago
At least Nature Boy is the first Lib to freely admit that he is a socialist. I can admire his honesty. Yep...Socialism worked great for The Soviet Union. Perhaps there are those who should simply move to this great people's paradise. Ask Nathan Sharansky how well socialism worked for him.
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DoerNotASayer1 year, 1 month ago
"Who decides how much is enough, Hillary"
Who is decideing now? Some high school educated clerk sitting in a tiny cubicle wearing Wal-Mart polyester pants, who is told she will be fired if she doesn't reject
20% of the claims the come across her desk.
You can try to scare people all you want with that neocon talking point crap, but the people who really know what is going on are already freakin' scared.
By the way, the movie is about THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY NOT THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY, why don't you idiots get a clue before you critisize something you don't know anything about.
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PapaWolf1 year, 1 month ago
>>do all you people realize that his scenario is socialism,
So are our fire & police forces. Or would you rather have a fireman show up to your burning home & hand you a bill before he puts out the fire? Or a policeman ask you or your mugger who can afford his bill?
With Medicaire having somewhere around 2% overhead & insurance co's having somewhere around 17%, where do you think all that money you're paying to IC's is going? It's definitely not going to your health care, the doctors, nursers OR hospitals / clinics you're using.
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joeblowe1 year, 1 month ago
""Michael Moore is nothing to me. He's just somebody looking to get a big rise out of somebody." - and here we see illustrated a BIG problem with this movie. Mr. Moore has earned himself a certain reputation (and NOT a favorable one) with his previous movies, and now - regardless of his claim that he tried to be "balanced" with this movie - many people won't pay any attention on the assumption that he's gone and done another pure hatchet job.
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scott42611 year, 1 month ago
I think it is a shame that so many ARE that closed-minded about Michael Moore. Even the Fox News movie reviewer gave it a positive review (shocking, I know...though, true). The fact is the stories this movie tells are the experiences of vast spectrum of people, their experience with health coverage in and out of the U.S. If it doesn't touch you in any way, then you really have no pulse....
This is a very good film.
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scott42611 year, 1 month ago
I agree partly with your statement; "...those who blindly get in line behind Mr. Moore's OPINIONS are most likely NOT capable of independent thought."
That's the part I do agree with. Everyone should investigate the information before coming to judgment.
Still, Michael Moore's movie is a part of the informational puzzle here ...and he effectively puts the stories of REAL Americans who have suffered in the U.S. health care system, at the hands of U.S. insurance companies, front and center. This movie gets the conversation started, which is, like it or not, what Moore does best. As one who has followed his career since "Roger & Me," this is by far his best and most compelling work to date...
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Charlson1 year, 1 month ago
That slogan "fair and balanced" is so inappropriately overused. Moore is presenting his views on the evils and ineffectiveness of private healthcare insurance companies and healthcare providers. He has a point of view he wants to present to the viewing public. And so far has been a success. Why should he be balanced and present the other side's viewpoint? It's a movie, a film, not a news report or journalist endeavor.
I suspect you don't like his message, so you vilify the messenger.
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joeblowe1 year, 1 month ago
Please. I loath HMOs as much - or more - than the next person. I've SEEN his previous movies - at least as much of them as I could stand to watch. SOME of what he has to say makes sense. MOST of what he presents is a VERY slanted (some would claim outright LIES) view of his OPINIONS, and although he PORTRAYS his presentation as factual, he either ignores or lies about the facts that support any position contrary to his own. That's dishonest. Sorry, you can call it something else if you want, but that's my finding. I haven't seen "Sicko" yet - and I'm not blowing $20 to do so. I expect pretty soon it'll be available on HBO or something. Then I'll see if it's a little more honest than his previous efforts. The Al Gore movie also fits into this category, by the way.
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Ruggaboo1 year, 1 month ago
Not interested in Mr. Moore's hyped up crappy documentaries.
After his, mockery of the Columbine victims with a one sided reel that follows full on with the frivilous tort of big money crooks. Such people always blame others, with the exception of violent criminals and terrorist's et al.
You see, the people who made the guns, industry or anyone else with a few coins in the bank must be entirely responsible. Save these poor killer's souls for they are ALL victims of societies ills.
Moore's grandstanding and cashing in on thousands of dead Americans with his shanigan laden Farenhreit 9/11 was the ultimate conspiracy soup for the weak minded.
Anyone who preys on tradgedy, death and the dis-associated is human scum in my book.
The fact that this scumbag continues to show up here speaks volumes...some people will believe and buy anything.
Tragic...truly symptomatic.
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Ruggaboo1 year, 1 month ago
See, you cannot have it both ways...Moore's presentation of himself as a modern day cinematic "Robin Hood" clashes with his greedy need to horde the sacks of gold for himself.
jolly good show!
*flush*
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engineer1 year, 1 month ago
I can't afford $300 per week because of the greed. Michael Moore is a real patriot. One of the HMO's chairman got a bonus of one billion dollars in 2005. The mark up on drugs is over 100 times. The research costs about 800 million, buthey make it up in one-half a year and continue for usually an extended patent of 20 years
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saintetienne1 year, 1 month ago
Don't like the high cost of health care? DON'T BUY IT.
Prescription drugs are high in price because of imbeciles like you who stare slack-jawed at the TV screen, watching drug commercials, then blindly going out to buy what "they" tell you is "wrong" with you. Watch any TV show. About half the commercials are for prescription drugs. To believe what the advertisers are telling us is to believe that we are one SICK nation. And we, like morons, keep buying into it.
If people would shut the damm TV off, stop smoking and go outside and exercise, you might cut your personal health care costs in half. Learn to eat something other than McDonald's and KFC and you lower your costs even more.
The problem with this country is that we've become as fat, slobbish, dumb and happy as Michael Moore, the difference being that his happiness is derived from taking our box office receipts to the bank for watching his trumped-up, sensationalized "documentary".
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