Michael Moore's health care movie

Has anyone seen the 2007 movie "Sicko" by Michael Moore? Very interesting...

"According to Sicko, almost fifty million Americans are uninsured while the remainder, who are covered, are often victims of insurance company fraud and red tape.

Interviews are conducted with people who thought they had adequate coverage but were denied care.

Former employees of insurance companies describe cost-cutting initiatives that give bonuses to insurance company physicians and others to find reasons for the company to avoid meeting the cost of medically necessary treatments for policy holders, and thus increase company profitability."

He travels to Canada, Britain and France where health care is cost-free, infant mortality rate is lower, and the average life span is 3 or more years longer than in the US.

He takes some of the 9/11 rescue workers from NY City, who have serious health issues resulting from their exposure to the dust and debris while doing rescue work, to Cuba (of all places). He has discovered that, on American soil at Guantanamo Bay, inmates including members of Al Quaida receive free top-notch health care. He cannot get access or health care for his entourage naturally, but asking on the street for directions to a hospital gets him a friendly response. All the ailing Americans he has brought with him are treated free of charge in a Cuban hospital. This includes x-rays, MRIs and other procedures they have been denied by their insurance companies in the US. One woman is shocked to find her inhaler, a $120 item in the US, available for 5 cents in Cuba.

There's more... well worth watching I thought.

I had some idea how difficult it must be in the US re health care costs but it's shocking to learn how the profit-focused insurance companies deny coverage and avoid paying claims. Doctors who deny payment for treatment save the company money and are rewarded. So very wrong... how could you sleep at night knowing your bonuses come at the cost of less fortunate people's health and very lives?

Re: Michael Moore's health care movie

Sounds interesting Sue and the kind of film we have come to expect from Michael Moore .

Re: Michael Moore's health care movie

And if Lansley and Cameron have their way - this is how our beloved NHS is going to go

Re: Michael Moore's health care movie

Can you elaborate for those of us across the pond? Moore showed the NHS in a very positive light. Is it being compromised in some way?

Re: Michael Moore's health care movie

Annie darlin' - Cameron is the Prime Minister and Lansley is the Health Minister. The Government initiated a top-down reform of the NHS some months ago costing over £3Billion just for reform. The result is a worsening of the NHS, an increase in waiting times for surgery, Hospitals going 'bust' (financially), wards closing because there are no nurses to staff them Etc, etc. At the same time Cameron is allowing the 'private sector' in to supply some of the services previously done by the NHS at increased cost, 'cos the private sector has to make a profit.

Re: Michael Moore's health care movie

That's very discouraging to hear. Privatization can't be in the best interests of anyone in need of medical attention.

Do they expect the outlay of £3Billion for 'reform' to be recouped in savings?

Is the government targeting any other sectors besides health care? - edited to say I've just read your Housing Benefits thread too.

Re: Michael Moore's health care movie

Yes Annie darlin' - the Government expect the expenditure to be recouped but its unlikely. Privatisation of the NHS is just a political dogma of the Tories (phth, phth,phth).

Re: Michael Moore's health care movie

Those truly capable of governing are too smart to get into politics. That will never change. *sigh*

Re: Michael Moore's health care movie

Some of our politicians this side of the 'pond' do very well out of it financially both legally and illegally.