Sicko Delivers

Michael Moore's Sicko a Tribute to the U.S. Health Insurance Crisis

Jul 6, 2007 Jennifer Gerics

With "Sicko", Michael Moore delivers a powerful documentary about the sad state of the U.S. health insurance industry. Time to move to Canada or France? Maybe...

Film producer Michael Moore's latest offering, "Sicko", delivers a powerful narrative about the state of America's health insurance industry. Moore, an outspoken liberal, voices his opinions about the conservative, privately-owned health insurance companies in the United States. Through emotional contributions from under-insured or completely uninsured Americans, Moore blows the lid off the health insurance system, which seems to be fine for the wealthy, but barely acceptable for middle- and lower-income Americans. Michael Moore is the producer of such controversial documentaries as "Bowling for Columbine", where he takes on the National Rifle Association, and "Fahrenheit 911", which focuses on the current U.S. presidential administration.

Americans' Harrowing Stories

Moore's "Sicko" begins with angry, desperate Americans who have slipped through the health insurance cracks. A very shocking story comes from a carpenter who lost fingers in a sawing accident and had to "choose" which finger to save, because he was uninsured and each finger had a "pricetag." This man now has a stump for the middle finger on one of his hands. Other lower- and middle-income people tell horror stories about being rejected for "experimental" or "unnecessary" procedures: private insurance agencies rejected diagnostic tests or procedures that could save their lives. One woman died from a brain tumor because she was rejected. The toddler of a low-income, single mother died because she was brought to a hospital that didn't participate in her insurance company's plan.

Foreign Universal Heathcare Systems

In complete contrast to this American fiasco, Michael Moore's "Sicko" shows the positive effects of foreign universal healthcare systems. Canada, so close but so far away in terms of healthcare philosophy, has a practice of contributing so that everyone in need of healthcare is covered. Taxes are not through the roof, yet people can receive care and not fear for their pocketbooks. Moore's own Canadian relatives get temporary travelers' health insurance when they visit the U.S. because they know about the horrors of not being covered. England has a similar situation with free healthcare for all. A British physician demonstrates that he is not living in poverty even though he is paid by the government. He and his wife have a million dollar flat in London, and they drive upscale cars. This doctor quips, "We have an obviously good lifestyle. We don't have three homes or four cars, but we have a good life." Moore's interviews with French citizens may be the most provocative reason to switch to universal or socialized healthcare: free, on-call doctors who make housecalls, free childcare services, fantastic doctors and hospitals, and comprehensive (and free) non-emergency government services.

A Shocking Visit to Cuba

Back to the U.S.... In "Sicko", Moore gathers several United States 9/11 workers who have also fallen through the cracks: people who served America during its most trying time, now unable to make ends meet because of expensive insurance premiums, drug costs, or procedures deemed "unnecessary." Moore and a small boatload of U.S. workers travel to Guantanamo Bay, a U.S. Naval-run prison for war criminals, situated in Cuba. They wait in their boat to be admitted, since this prison provides free, comprehensive healthcare to U.S. enemies--- how about U.S. citizens? When they are ignored, Michael Moore and crew enter Cuba and seek help. The Cubans graciously see the 9/11 workers and treat them (for free) for pulmonary disorders, dental problems, and other 9/11-caused health problems. Before the crew leaves, they are greeted and honored by a Cuban firefighting company. It's hard to imagine the U.S. disdain compared to the Cuban compassion, but it demonstrates the core problem with the U.S. health insurance industry: money over human merit.

***For related health information, check out the Neurological ARTICLE INDEX and Blog.

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The copyright of the article Sicko Delivers in General Medicine is owned by Jennifer Gerics. Permission to republish Sicko Delivers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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