More Relevant Than Ever: Watch Sicko
No matter what you think of film maker Michael Moore, his film “Sicko” is absolutely a must see. It came out in 2007 and I just watched it for the 3rd time tonight. Given the current state of affairs with health care, Sicko will open your eyes…if you are willing to watch it with an open mind. Sure there are the naysayers who say health care in countries like Canada, France and England is substandard but keep in mind where a lot of that comes from…the billion dollar insurance company industry that pours a lot of that money into tearing down anything that risks hitting their deep pockets. And of course you’ll find some Canucks or Brits who will also say all is not rosy but then again, is it ever? Compared to the United States, it is. We have so many who can’t afford a simple doctor visit. I know of someone who had to take their son to the emergency room after the boy came down with severe flu-like symptoms. With no insurance, the bill came to more than $5000 for a 5 hour visit.
World Health Organization Health System Ranking (2000)
1. France
18. United Kingdom
30. Canada
37. United States
38. Slovenia
Healthy Life Expectancy Rankings
1. Japan
3. France
12. Canada
14. United Kingdom
24. United States
38. Slovenia
Infant Mortality Rates (Ranked best to worst by the CIA)
1. Singapore
8. France
32. United Kingdom
36. Canada
44. Cuba
46. United States
And those so-called “death panels” the fear mongers keep talking about? People, we already have far worse. What we currently have amounts to not a panel of people determining who lives or dies, but a veritable firing squad. If you don’t have insurance, your chances of dying of a curable disease multiplies. That’s a simple fact. Moore’s film talks to doctors in England and France…even Cuba. There’s nothing in it for them to lie. That sad state of affairs is we have made the medical profession lucrative for some. Doctors with mansions and luxury cars…insurance company CEO’s with yearly salaries that would eliminate hunger in the world…and pharmaceutical companies that have the power to determine whether someone lives or dies by hiking prices so only the rich can afford some medicine…that’s our system and it is horribly broken.
Categories: SiCKO,Heath Care,Michael Moore
Tags: SiCKO Heath Care Michael Moore
The truth is that we gained nothing by telling our story and participating in the documentary other than the treatment we received. So many people thought we were actors or that we benefited in some way. We didnt! It was just important to us to tell our story and get people to pay attention so we try to fix the broken system we have that lets so many people die.
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For those of you who don't know, Reggie was featured in Sicko. Reggie was a volunteer emergency responder who spent a lot of time searching for survivors following the 9/11 collapse of the World Trade Center. As a result, she now suffers from severe respiratory problems. Because she was a volunteer, the government did not provide any kind of medical assistance.
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I have thought about watching it but just haven't yet. I am definitely going to see it now! Thanks for the info Holliston.
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