Sicko: Biggest Targets Are Easiest to Hit
On June 29, Michael Moore will bow a new documentary called Sicko.
It's his usual style -- a collection of humorous, frustrating, aggravating and poignant anecdotes to underscore the flaws in the American health care system (or nonsystem, as others have complained). Many of the stories have been previously told in other media, some date back to the 1980s.
To be fair to countless other authors and health policy analysts, much has already been written about ineffective health care delivery in the United States. It is a complex patchwork quilt that includes commercial, private, governmental and other insurers: a quilt that has been become increasingly frayed. In a recent WebMD blog I reiterated the key message that permeates everybody's argument: How can one nation spend the most per capita on health care yet still have 45+ million Americans uninsured?
Policy experts (yawn!) have spent three decades warning society that the collapse of our health care system is imminent. What happened as a result? No significant change occurred, at least not in the eyes of health consumers.
Next the politicians took a swipe. Much of President Bill Clinton's first term in office was devoted to a systematic overhaul. The First Lady became Chief Reformer and party partisanship took over. These efforts were smothered by a well-placed advertising (misinformation) campaign that successfully alarmed senior citizens and the working middle class. What happened as a result? Congress retreated. Only the stupid parts of managed care survived, hospital companies consolidated, CEOs and inside traders became wealthier, and more Americans than ever were left out in the cold. President Bush hasn't had much more luck with change.
Michael Moore is a film writer and cinematographer. He does not claim to be a health policy analyst and he is not a politician (not yet). Those "resume deficiencies" may be his best qualifications to effect real change in American health care. Let me tell you why his voice may make a difference.
Joe and Suzy Sixpack are the reason.
Mr. and Mrs. Average American. The folks who reside in "flyover country." Change in this country does not occur at the national level (repeal of Prohibition, ending the Vietnam War, threatened impeachment of Richard Nixon) until America's middle class demands it. (Seen any $2 bills lately? The general public refused to adapt!) Until then the message is shaped and reshaped by powerbrokers and stakeholders then repeatedly served back to the American public. Nothing happens until Joe and Suzy can no longer tolerate the status quo.
But there's a big obstacle to change. So long as the Sixpack family enjoys good health and is not penalized by their health insurer they perceive no threat. To them the status quo is acceptable.
Like his earlier movies Michael Moore is using Sicko to rock the status quo.
Could we do better as a country to care for our fellow citizens? Is it acceptable that so many Americans are living on the edge - one hospitalization away from bankruptcy? Like all the erudite voices before him Michael Moore believes we can do better, much better. It only takes willpower. Moore seeks to catalyze that willpower where he can best find Joe and Suzy Sixpack - the local movie theater.
I say give the guy a chance. Aren't you willing to pay $10 to fix health care? In three years we may all be thanking him.
(Watch excerpt from "Sicko")
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: health insurance, Michael Moore, Sicko, medicine, health and wellness
It's his usual style -- a collection of humorous, frustrating, aggravating and poignant anecdotes to underscore the flaws in the American health care system (or nonsystem, as others have complained). Many of the stories have been previously told in other media, some date back to the 1980s.
To be fair to countless other authors and health policy analysts, much has already been written about ineffective health care delivery in the United States. It is a complex patchwork quilt that includes commercial, private, governmental and other insurers: a quilt that has been become increasingly frayed. In a recent WebMD blog I reiterated the key message that permeates everybody's argument: How can one nation spend the most per capita on health care yet still have 45+ million Americans uninsured?
Policy experts (yawn!) have spent three decades warning society that the collapse of our health care system is imminent. What happened as a result? No significant change occurred, at least not in the eyes of health consumers.
Next the politicians took a swipe. Much of President Bill Clinton's first term in office was devoted to a systematic overhaul. The First Lady became Chief Reformer and party partisanship took over. These efforts were smothered by a well-placed advertising (misinformation) campaign that successfully alarmed senior citizens and the working middle class. What happened as a result? Congress retreated. Only the stupid parts of managed care survived, hospital companies consolidated, CEOs and inside traders became wealthier, and more Americans than ever were left out in the cold. President Bush hasn't had much more luck with change.
Michael Moore is a film writer and cinematographer. He does not claim to be a health policy analyst and he is not a politician (not yet). Those "resume deficiencies" may be his best qualifications to effect real change in American health care. Let me tell you why his voice may make a difference.
Joe and Suzy Sixpack are the reason.
Mr. and Mrs. Average American. The folks who reside in "flyover country." Change in this country does not occur at the national level (repeal of Prohibition, ending the Vietnam War, threatened impeachment of Richard Nixon) until America's middle class demands it. (Seen any $2 bills lately? The general public refused to adapt!) Until then the message is shaped and reshaped by powerbrokers and stakeholders then repeatedly served back to the American public. Nothing happens until Joe and Suzy can no longer tolerate the status quo.
But there's a big obstacle to change. So long as the Sixpack family enjoys good health and is not penalized by their health insurer they perceive no threat. To them the status quo is acceptable.
Like his earlier movies Michael Moore is using Sicko to rock the status quo.
Could we do better as a country to care for our fellow citizens? Is it acceptable that so many Americans are living on the edge - one hospitalization away from bankruptcy? Like all the erudite voices before him Michael Moore believes we can do better, much better. It only takes willpower. Moore seeks to catalyze that willpower where he can best find Joe and Suzy Sixpack - the local movie theater.
I say give the guy a chance. Aren't you willing to pay $10 to fix health care? In three years we may all be thanking him.
(Watch excerpt from "Sicko")
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: health insurance, Michael Moore, Sicko, medicine, health and wellness
41 Comments:
You're right that if you have health insurance, you think things are fine...if you're like me - an unexpectedly single mom with three childen - you realize how close to the edge you can live. I don't know anything abou this movie but if it tells the story of people like me, then I think it will help us all.
A few years back, I went to work for one of the big insurance companies.
During my initial training, I was told to make sure that the person I was speaking to on the phone, was one who was young and had years left to make payments, equalling money for the company. Take as long as necessary to help them, in whatever their problem was.
If I saw that it was a person who was elderly and had already paid what the company could get through premiums and such, I was to be pleasant and hang up, as soon as possible. There could be a younger person, with potential money for the company, waiting.
The other fact that caused me to quit and walk out of that job, was also during training. When I complained about this discriminatory action, I was told I was a "Tree Hugger" by the instructor. She brought me to the front of the class and had everyone criticize my values and morals.
I thought it was outrages and walked out! I have never worked in the insurance industry again. There is nothing that would bring surprise to me, on what the fabulous Michael Moore found or put on film.
Be careful out there.....you are nothing but a number, if you read your policy, like I did, you will be surprised what is not covered or what limbs you need to lose before you are paid!
I have members of my family in the industry and THEY, in private, say that his film is so very real, but they would never admit it. The bottom line is that they always get a profit, which equals YOUR MONEY TO THEM, NOT TO YOU, NO MATTER IF YOU ARE RIGHT!!!!!
Thanks!
From what I have read about this new movie, it is about how we should have socialized health care. This will not solve anything, look at the statistics in other countries that have government health care. The waiting list for elective surgery is longer that it is in this country. The cost is much greater to every individual and they are not given a choice. In switzerland the average person pays 40 percent of there pay check for government health care and then another 20 to 30 percent in taxes, think about how much of your check that is, or how much it is for people that only make minimum wage. I personally don't like the idea of the government taking 60 to 70 percent with out my permission. Michael Moore's films are pure propaganda!
I don't listen to overweight people who talk about healthcare. Individual responsibility means keeping weight down to ideal, no smoking, 8 hours of sleep, moderate to no alcohol, physical exercise, Meditarranean diet and a good quality multi-vitamin. Health care costs are up because of poor personal discipline, ignorant, lazy parents and greedy insurance people and doctors.
I will be interested to see the perspective that this film takes in regards to the health care crisis in the country. Many people would like to point to “greedy” insurance and pharmaceutical companies. Many would also like to point to inefficiencies of private systems.
This is not my perspective. I believe the health care crisis is due to the fact that we are a very, very sick nation. Health care costs have skyrocketed as illnesses have skyrocketed in this country. The cost of caring for the aging baby boomers is very expensive. Compound this by the fact that the baby boomers and much of the rest of the population has done a very, very poor job of caring for themselves. As a result, the rates and costs associated with DM-II, HTN, COPD, CAD, most cancers, knee, hip replacements etc (I could go on and on) have increased nearly beyond our capabilities. The system is not the cause of the problem. The collective “we” are the cause of the problem.
I suggest that if you would to like see a documentary on how to improve health care in this country that you start by watching “Super Size Me.”
I will go see the movie to see "if" moore gives a real account of the health care system. By watching the you tube clip...I doubt it. I see both sides of the health care system. I work for one of those big name pharmacies and I sell health insurance for my own growing brokerqe (hoping to get rid of walgreens one day...did I just say the name out loud?) I see the FACT that Americans (many, not all) have done a poor job taking care of their health. Uncle Sam can not make the 250lbd woman, who is pushing an oxygen tank, to put down the snickers (king zize). I have seen people come through the drive through in a crew cab, long bed, truck that would run about $40K new and they are on the state health plan and get their 5 drugs for $3 Each. If you can afford a $600/month car note, maybe you can pay some of your own medical bills. When I am quoting health insurance, MOST clients have no idea how the insurance works, Co-pays, co-insurance, and so on. look, if we "demanded" that our auto insurance paid for oil changes, tire replacment, car washes, etc...Our car insurance would tripple overnight. there is a difference between health INSURANCE and health CARE. insurance is to be there for the chance that something bad happens one day. cancer, broken leg, car accident, etc. Health care is sleeping enough, eating just enough, getting out and moving...turn off the TV! YOU are in charge of your health CARE. Do a better job America and insurance will go down. If my magic, there were 50% less care accidents starting tomorrow, what would happen to car insurance. It goes down. If 50% of America lost the extra 20 to 60 lbs trhey have and just worked out 3 times a week....our doctors offices would not have a 2 hour wait each time.
everyone needs to do themselves & their families a favor & see this documentary. its totally bi-partisan effort & a deep look at the corruption in the healthcare "system" that no one in congress seems to want to talk about. this is just no movie, it's a movement.
Who in the heck wants government health care? Sure is not me! You want to see a health care crisis, just let the government take over health care and watch it go down the tubes. Remember when Hilery Clinton wanted the government to controll the flu vaccines? What happened? There was a huge shortage of vaccines. Any time the government wants to controll anything in our lives its a bad thing. As far as Micheal Moore is concerned, I think he is a big liar and is a communist lover who would love to see our country turn communist. No one should listen to anything Micheal Moore has to say. His movies are not documenties they are fiction!!!
If you like the IRS you will love national health care. The thing that government does best is spend your money. When you let the politicians help make your health decisions it will be too late for a "do over."
We do have healthcare issues in this country. However, there is no other place in the world that I would choose to have an operation done than the U.S. Do you really want the gov't to handle healthcare? They do such a nice job on all the other services they provide...public schools, US postal service, etc. Don't forget, without FedEx, UPS, and other couriers, our postal system would be horrible. Competition brings out the best in all of us, whether that be in our individual lives or in business. People should stop waiting on a free handout and take care of themselves. Without food, we would be malnurished and eventually perish. Does that mean that we can go to restaurants and demand free food? Healthcare is not a right, it is a privalege. With proper diet, exercise and rest, we would decrease healthcare spending enormously.
I have worked in health care for over 25 years. The problem with our system is THE SYSTEM!! Those on Medicare and Medicaid (government programs) demand and get excessive free treatment, otherwise they sue you (successfully for discrimination, thanks to our "friends" the attorneys)for discrimination . These programs waste billions annually on overtreating individuals with little or no potential. Just because some treatments can be done doesn't mean they should be. Some will accuse me of wanting to ration health care... Well what is the problem with that. Anyone with a brain wants a good return on their investment. If a person chooses to be ill and YES I MEAN CHOOSES due to poor personal health decisions they have made such as being physically inactive, smoking and being obese then they do not deserve our tax payor dollars to treat them unless they want to make an effort to be part of the solution and show their sincerity by making important lifestyle changes. Anything else is just fixing a leaking dam by sticking your finger in the hole. There comes a point in time where logical people need to come to the conclusion that we aren't meant to live forever and let's use those dollars more wisely than all of this excessive healthcare on those persons at the end of their lives. In the US, 80% of all healthcare dollars are spent on people in the last 3 months of their lives, that is a pathetic track record. We as a society need to make a priority list of where resources should be allocated because there is not an infinite supply of money out there to fund it any more. Years ago a doctor from Oregon had made a priority list of most treatable illness to least treatable illness and how much money should be appropriated to each illness category, such as most treatable was pneumonia at that time (this was before VRE's and MDRO's) and least treatable was infantile anencepahly; I think we need to revisit his theories. He now seems like a claivoyant, ahead of his time, but certainly on the right track. There are times when the medical establishment should step back and let mother nature take it's course.
I see several comments that point to lazy,undisciplined people not taking care of themselves as the source of excessive health care costs. These comments are clearly the result of lazy, undisciplined thinking. I take care of myself--probably better than the commenters--yet I have asthma and autoimmune problems. Some illnesses are a combination of environment and genes, and asthma is clearly one of these. And what about infectious disease? Is that always an individual's fault, and the result of improper diet and exercise? Suppose you were involved in an accident tomorrow--would that be your fault?
Many people enjoy simplistic thinking, because it seems then that they have all of the answers, and problems are the fault of everyone else, the "lazy people". It's time for these simplistic thinkers to grow up and engage in real analysis of complex problems.
I think you need to keep politics off your website. I don't want to look at people from Hollywood, especially this anti-American. When I go into this site, I want advise from Doctors, and only medical information; not views from the left or right...this is not the place for politial views...
Please don't make me look at Michael Moore when I visit WebMD. I come to this site for non-biased medical information, in an attempt to be better educated, and improve the medical care my family receives.
I am writing this comment from bedside in the hospital, while caring for my wife who has been hospitalized for the last week. Her neuro-opthalmologic care has been complex, extensive, expensive, but most importantly effective!
I have seen what government administration (or lack thereof) has done to Social Security, IRS, Medicare and the postal service and I don't want to give them a shot at healthcare!
There is no question that the insurance companies are about the bottom line, that's capitalism. There in lies the problem in fixing the system. Some people cannot afford to "eat right", some work two jobs and don't have time to eat or exercise. Poverty (which has increased in the last few years) itself brings health problems. And of course, there are things that happen to you that have nothing to do with how you "take care of your health" There are accidents and many inherited conditions like diabetes , mental health issues you are born with(another large problem, parity);there are birth defects, allergies, insects and animal bites, and more out of your control and sometimes just lack of knowledge about what is healthy. Guess what... no matter how well you take care of yourself, there will be an illness at some point, we don't live forever. Maybe you will be on a plane with a man who has TB. And shock, we do not have the best health care system in the world because it is money based, not people based. Moore has already recieved attention from some legislators on both sides of the aisle who thanked him; even Fox news had kind words for him. If nothing else the film should start a real discussion to address the problem leaving out the cliches.
I really HOPE that this film will change things in our healthcare, I give Michael Moore so much credit for doing this film. Everyone deserves to be able to be treated and cared for in an unbiased way regardless of what insurance you have. The health insurance companies are out for the "almighty dollar" and they are for it even if it means jeporadizing a patients health. Its sad that health care has come to what it has, something has to be changed!!!! I respect Michael Moore so much for maybe being the one to help change things!!!
MY FAMILY AND I WOULD NOT LOOK OR LISTEN TO ANYTHING MICHAEL MOORE HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH. WE HAVE NO RESPECT FOR HIM.
What we need in health care is LESS government not more. I can't imagine why anyone would want to give the federal government, which couldn't even rescue people in New Orleans, total control over their health. I want things to be a private as possible. I want to be able to buy insurance from any state, and get exactly what I need instead of some generic, and often excessive, employer plan. We have to take care of ourselves better and learn to pay for simple services. We don't expect car insurance to pay for maintenance, do we?
In addition, I find Moore's exploitation of 9/11 rescuers to be revolting. His contention that Cuba has some amazing healthcare system is absurd. Of course, when he goes down there they give him access to the "upper tier" system - normal people have to deal with the "lower tier" where sometimes you can't even find things like bandaids. Even in the UK and Canada there are huge waiting lists and shortages of basic supplies.
The solution is not huge taxes and government healthcare - it is in allowing people to have more control over their lives instead of less. Competition is the answer to our problems.
Yes, Cuba has such a wonderful healthcare system...American's are swimming the 90 miles to Cuba every day to take advantage of it.
Michael Moore is a moron, and you should be ashamed for airing his views on your site. I don't want to know what someone thinks of the medical system when I go to this site...i want to research what's wrong with my little girl.
For those of you who think that greed is not part of the health care crisis, or any other crisis, you better wake up.
Isn’t it true that we have the attitude, if it doesn’t affect me, I don’t care? We don’t care until something hits us hard, then it matters a lot.
If everyone in this country ate healthy, exercised, and health issues declined, do you think rates would go down? No, they wouldn’t. They would come up with some excuse of why the rates have to remain the same or better yet, go up, to compensate for something else, you know the drill.
When was the last time you went to a doctor’s office and he/she handed you a diet, exercise routine, or some other alternative vs. a pill?
If you think long and hard about that, you’ll come up with some answers.
Why don’t insurance companies offer diet and exercise and more preventative measures as part of the coverage?
I still feel greed is a huge problem in this country and from that, many problems develop.
I agree with 6:39 AM anonymous and and 9:55 anonymous and other who talk about not listening to anything Michael Moore says or does, and ditto to those, can't say it any better. I thought this was a medical web page with good info, not advertisement for radicals like Michael Moore. Like the comment of swimming to Cuba for his health care, if he can! Glenda
I don't care who makes the movie....what I care about is the topic....and the topic is that there are a lot of people out there (like me, sadly) who don't have good health coverage and are worried! Worried about my kids getting sick...hell, worried about me too (though I'm in good shape now). I love seeing these comments because it means we're talking about health and people like me aren't being forgotten.
I love how some of the people commenting are soooo perfect, they don't EVER over-eat, eat the wrong things, smoke, drink, they are just so perfect. I wish I could have been so perfect all my life as to not jeapordize my health in anyway, ever. I'm sure someone you know and love may be overweight...do you look them in face and tell them because they're fat no one should listen to them? And...if Michael Moore was such a MORON...then he's a rich moron who knows how piss the stupid people off!
70% of health care costs are spent on issues stemming from obesity and lack of exercise. if you want real, lasting health care reform, tell "joe and suzy" to lose weight.
I agree 100% with brad. Maybe because we share the same name or maybe just because he's absolutely right about Americans not taking care of themselves.
Michael Moore is a blowhard with lots of money and too much time on his hands. He's all about rocking the boat and generating emotion rather than talking facts. Joe and Suzy American need to take responsibility for their own health and quit depending on my tax money to take care of them. Government aid is supposed to be short-term not life-long. Too many people today aren't the least bit embarassed about living off the government. Oh, and when Michael Moore sheds a hundred pounds, maybe then I'll stop turning a deaf ear to his rhetoric on health care. Get back to facts, WebMD. That's what makes this site worth visiting.
PLEASE do not use Michael Moore articles on this Website ---HE is NOT educated in this field! HE is NOT credible for a resource here. PLEASE do your research before looking to Hollywood of all places, before writing on such an important topic!
Socialized Health Care does not work -- just ask Canada, wait lists are tragic, government should not be in the business of healthcare. Canadians are coming to the US for more expedient care and better care. Just visiting some of the hospitals in Canada takes you back years. There is a better way and certainly more informed people to look to for answers than Michael Moore. I think this article should be sent to CNN - Glenn Beck. It would make his blood boil!
We live in a society of snap judgments and the comments posted here are no exceptions.
I'm not sure I see a way through the health care crisis that's looming before us as long as people care more who is talking about the issue than the issue itself.
I don't see any single perfect solution. I think that unless we step back and start by losing our preconceived notions and looking at facts, there's not even a small whiff of a prayer of reform, change, or help for the 'system'.
I shell out $400/month for 2 prescriptions per month that should be covered under the health plan that my employer and I pay more than $600/month to maintain. I have to do this because the medication that is effective is not available as a generic medication, and it was only after exhausting the generics that I found one that works. But the PBM who owns the pharmacy where I fill the prescriptions says that I'm not entitled to have it covered for me or my son (we have the same med) because...well, it's not generic.
What's wrong with that picture? Do I give a rip whether Michael Moore or Barack Obama or Rudy Guiliani is talking about it? No, I really don't, because it's more important that it be addressed than who starts the dialogue.
The Complacent Ones are screwing the rest of us. Until those opinionated "I hate the messenger" voices are overcome, this is all moot.
It has always bugged me that WebMD doesn't cover the issues with regard to health care reform -- I'm glad to see them making a stab at it.
PLEASE! I come to this sight to get accurate information - not Michael Moore propaganda. WHY would I want information from a totally biased overweight person who seems to think socialized health care will 'fix' this country's system?? How about HE helps this country's poor & un- or under insured?? I'm all for helping the poor, the widows, the orphans -- seems to me we do a pretty good job of that now. It may not be pleasant to be one medical emergency away from diaster; but really don't we all as Americans want the best?! healthcare, not mediocre healthcare so that everyone enjoys being covered? My family from as far back as the 1700's has worked hard and earned everything we have. That's the American way. We help each other in tomes of need. We are responsible for ourselves all the time. To think that it costs us nothing to make healthcare cover everyone is a huge mistake.
Gosh, above -- I'm not sure what country you're calling "us" when you say we're doing a pretty good job of it. Certainly not this one.
If we were doing a good job, 12-year old kids wouldn't die of abcessed teeth.
If we were doing a good job, employees wouldn't be laid off so companies can meet their bottom line and still provide health insurance.
In a country that lives and dies by the motto "look out for number one", regard for the poor and needy is largely eyed as a hindrance, rather than a social obligation.
We will have thousands of disabled veterans entering our healthcare system in the future as a result of the Iraq and Afghan wars. If we were doing a good job, we'd be planning for that now, instead of blasting someone who's actually thinking about it.
Is good health care some sort of liberal plot? You people...what are you all talking about? I come from a large family - with a mix of Democrats & Republicans...and we all agree - health care is tough & scary to lose....somebody needs to fix it...thank you a big filmmaker (literally :) is thinking about this. I don't care about the politics....I'll see this movie becuase it sounds thought-provoking...but I'm also intrigued by some of Newt Gringrich's heatlh care ideas....he's a smart cookie
I have a difficult time taking this film seriously. First of all, because of who made it. Moore is consistantly leaving out the bits that show the other side. Secondly, I grew up without healthcare because my single mom could not afford it for my sister, brother, and me. It happens. But my mother never blamed the government, she blamed herself for marrying at 17 and not finishing college. She blamed herself for not qualifying for the type of job that would allow her to afford it. I was raised to be responsible for myself. It is not the government's responsibility to take care of me but to take care of international policy, taxes, immigration, law & order, and conservation. That's it.
I believe Clinton's administration made health care far more difficult because he involved the government more. If the government would leave it alone, the basic rules of economics and free trade would make health care more affordable.
So a film that criticizes the government for not better organizing health care seems more to attack the government than to address the issue.
give me a break. if joe sixpac and suzy smoker would get their weight, smoking , and exercise habits together, we would not have a health care "crisis". duh. what ever happen to self reliance.
Would you just look at the guy? He must have been the stunt double in the movie "SUPER SIZE ME" If ever there were a person that should be on the cover of over Pulmonary Weekly as a patient it would be Michael give me Moore for breakfast lunch and dinner. Just say no Mike! This is your champion for health care reform??? Michael has made it clear he is good at doing one thing..Taking your money at the box office! Michael can't even push away from the table. How can he pull off reform? by stirring a pot of @*#! did it work with Farenheit 911? NO! He may stir controversy by doing what he does best "distorting the facts" Is there anyone that believes that socialized health care is the answer? Is there anyone that believe this isnt what he wants? If so, maybe you have not spoken to Canadian lately. 9mo for an MRI 3mo for the love of Pete for an Ultrasound. Think about it for a second is there anything the government provides you services on that you agree is A) a good value b)done in a timely manor c)and left you feeling like you got good service? Can you say beauracracy? That it was we will all get unless we start reading better between the lines. This is the classic sham. I do not want big government into health care any more than I want them into oil. Be very careful what we ask for and make educated decisions. After all where do other countries elitists come to have surgery? Yeah the U.S. why? The quality of service is so much higher than elsewhere because we live in a country that still rewards you for being the best in what you do. We should not fear capitalism we should embrace it. As for Michael Moore , he will continue to tell itching ears exactly what they want to hear. The Rosie side of a government controlled health system. By the way how is Social Security looking???/right..
Thank you anonymous @ 8:08 pm! Finally, someone with some common sense! I think that most of you are confusing the health CARE system with health insurance. Since when is anyone entitled to insurance? Can I say that about my house or car insurance? Like it or not, these insurance companies are in business to make a profit. They are not a government service that we pay taxes for. Don't get me wrong, I do have a bone or two to pick with them. But, I think y'all are missing the point. We don't have a perfect system here, but we do have the best in the world! I'm really surprised noone has mentioned what I believe to be a huge factor in this problem. The illegal aliens. I lived in El Paso, TX for 7 years and saw TWO hospitals go into bankruptcy and one of those eventually went out of business. The reason was, they had so many illegal aliens cross the border for health care and NEVER paid their bills! They had a policy of never refusing care based on ability to pay. They paid the ultimate price. I have doctor friends from Africa that came here to be educated as doctors and stayed because they saw how superior our medical facilities were. If you think Canada's so great, visit the city of Detroit (on the border). They've had such an influx of Canadian patients, they are having trouble managing their facilities and treating local patients! Let's not forget Cuba! Their health care is so superior, recently Fidel Castro had to fly a surgeon in from Spain to work on him! Wise up! Liz
Insurance has taken a big turn, and for the worst. Why is it that people who are healthy and take care of themselves, pay just as much for the same insurance as people who smoke or people who are non compliant with their current health condidtions? And who makes up the difference for the non compliant people who need treatment but can't afford it....you guessed it! US!
Anyway, I really hope Micheal makes everyone aware of the closed curtain behind healthcare. Hey, if he can change my view on politics, maybe he can do the same for healthcare. Thank you!
Michael Moore is a socialist idiot. He wants so called "universal healthcare", which is just another name for socialized medicine. I would like anyone who is for socialized medicine that has cancer or a terminal illness to go to a country like England or Canada and see if they're still for it. They would die waiting on a waiting list!!!
Hillary Clinton is another socialist that likes to bash pharmaceutical companies and ask how come you can buy Claritin (before it went OTC) for only 5 cents a pill in Canada? Canada isn’t the leader in the pharmaceutical industry…the United States is. If you want new drugs on the market you have to have to put money back into research and development.
My father is a retired Colonel in the Air force and we were stationed in England for three years. I had a nanny that was 82 years old and she waited over three years just to have knee surgery. They don't treat elderly patients. They just let them die because they feel it's more cost effective to treat the younger patients. How would you like it if that were your grandparent? Eventually when they do get to your name on waiting list they just call you up one day and tell you to be in surgery the next day. If you can't make it they put you at the bottom of the list again. Is that what you want people??? Socialized medicine equals VERY BAD HEALTHCARE FOR EVERYONE!
People in countries that have socialized medicine are taxed to death. In England people are taxed on every television they own and they drive around in a van and they can tell if you’re paying the TV tax or not. If you have a closet in your house, that’s considered a luxury and they even tax you on closets. So now do you remember why we had the Boston Tea Party??? My question is…why isn’t anyone talking about what socialized medicine really means? I guess it’s because people have an entitlement mentality and they want the handout without having to work for it. People in this country take our way of living for granted until it’s threatened.
Michael Moron is a strident Marxist who hasn't yet seen a communist he hasn't loved. I have yet to put a penny in his pocket for anything and I'm not starting now. Is our health care system flawed, yes. Is there room for improvement, yes. Do we have utopia on earth as far as health delivery, costs, availability, outcomes, no. However, utopia exists only after death, Europe is running away from their socialized medicine because, shazam, they can't afford it, especially when they are fining and jailing those who work over 35 hours a week to get a head. If Cuba, Canada, UK and others are so great, why did Castro almost die at the hands of his own healthcare system and docs, why are Canadians beating a path to the US to avoid month long waits for routine procedures and why is the UK system about to collapse since docs don't want to go to multi years of post graduate schooling, residency and mountains of debt to make $25,000 a year. No incentives for them to practice and they'd rather do other things with their time. If money is what divides good health care from bad, then explain to me, Middle Eastern leaders, royal families, oil rich Arabs, all seem to beat a path to the US of all places to get their health care concerns addressed. I would think they would go anywhere to get the very best in medical attention and 95% + come to the US. Flaws exist everywhere, it is the idiots of the world who complain that make the issues worse, not better. It also doesn't help that we have millions of illegals bogging down our system and jacking up the costs of delivery as well.
It's amazing to me how many people have something to say about Michael Moore, but not too much to add on the problems facing the health care system (or lack of...).
The bottom line is that any attention that can be brought to this growing problem is a good thing. Don't shoot the messanger...
I work as an administrator in healthcare and what I have watched happen over the years is disgusting! Insurance companies have made it so that if you don't join, under their "rules" you will have little or no patient base. You have to accept what they pay, which has dimished every year. The rate of pay to the doctors has gone down, down, down while the malpractice insurance has gone up, up, up. With all the paper work and bs (I seriously spend so much time on the phone arguing that yes, a patient has tried this, that and the other OTC before they can get a prescribed/better product for allergies! And if a patient needs anything radiological- hoop jumping time)...the overhead in a medical office has exploded.
Contrary to popular belief, MD's don't make a ton of cash anymore. Those days died with the traditional insurance companies.
Modeling after Medicare - not a bad idea. They pay, relatively quickly (compared to some private insurances)and the rules are pretty clear. And I have an idea....how about preventative healthcare? Pay for things that will help with comobidity issues down the road...less money on surgeries, long-term issues and medication.
Next stop - prescription drug companies. They come into our office, "pimping" there goods. Presented in big beautiful packaging (with usually one pill. Can we save the trees, please?) and lunch...can't that big marketing budget be used to cut back on cost? How is it that the same drug is less in another country than in our own (where it is made???)...
Okay- ranting. But it's a big mess that is growing bigger. You can be totally poor and get help. You can be rich and afford to pay for it. If you are in between (like most of us are...) you are totally, well out of luck.
Time for someone to do something. Kudos to Michael Moore for starting this conversation!
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And for those of you who have so much contempt for people who are overweight - get over it. Not everyone can afford to go organic or have a gym membership. If you read up on it, there is a genetic component to obesity. If we would get the junk out of the schools and teach our children the correct way from the beginning perhaps things will improve in the future. Why does everyone think it's so flippin simple!
michael more should have nothing to do with legetimate websites. He picks and choses statistics and information that fit his beliefs and then uses the propaganda as if it is All Truth. He makes me ill and I hate to even see him on your homepage. Are you about medical knowledge and help, or are you now about politics? I need Web MD for knowledge about medical topics not for partisan politics on any subject!
Well, well, well. I see the enemies of America are busy at work again. It's the people who denounce our government to do their jobs and refuse to obey the laws themselves that are the terrorists working frantically to overthrow our government, ie; the RICH Corporate slave-masters and their loyal little back-stabbing slaves. Any help for the poor is socialism, when they get a piece or the pie they are entitled. What a bunch of Satan worshippers. It's blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is what it is. And all their claims about being a "Christian" which is a lie, won't save them from the firey hades they walking towards. Great article. You've helped separate the sheep from the goats.
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