SiCKO: A documentary film by Michael Moore

[peewee_toot]

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reality bites jd.

[dexterdal]

saw this last night

[SPRINGFIELD_XD_40]

Here in the Philippines how difficult would it be to see a doctor, you have to wait for your turn even up taking an hour just to see them and pay P400-P500 for every check up. Not to mention in US by which the cost of their health care is exponentially higher compared to the Philippines.

It is higher of course because you are comparing the DOLLAR to PESO value .

Here in the Philippines and in US when a working parent is unable to take care of his/her child we usually send our child to a daycare or hire a nanny in our case maid which will cost you a hefty price. But in France the government provides the nanny for free and their daycare centers are for free. You can even negotiate with the free home service nanny to do the all around like doing the laundry and cooking dinner.

Actually .... and in reality , who would trust someone their KIDS to a " NANNY " they dont even know nor met before ? Yes in the Philippines , you hire a YAYA where by referrals , you knew them or in the US by referrals also . You get what you pay for and I rather pay than being SORRY if that is the case that I need a NANNY that I dont know

Not only that France in their labor code. They have hyper wage standard, here is the good part they have a mandatory paid vacation leave of at least 5 weeks per year. One reason why the have those mandatory paid vacation leaves is that if employees are more relaxed they would be more productive.

Just like any other LABOR CODES that existed bai .... have you asked yourself , been to France to know that was it really IMPLEMENTED by the EMPLOYERS ? In some parts maybe yes but with a drawback of shytloads of OVERTIME , my aunt worked in paris before she moved to Rome .

In US people work at least 2 jobs. Some even 3 jobs. It is mainly a concept of slavery in a capitalist society fashion.

At least 2 jobs ? Hehehe .... even 3 ? SOme has DOUBLE JOBS but by saying AT LEAST 2 JOBS is not correct much more 3 jobs ? Yes some worked 3 job ... 1 full time and 2 part time jobs , and it is still not considered SLAVERY because rest is granted considering the nature of the schedule . If your basis are only a couple of people you knew , relatives in the US that works 2 jobs ... it is not right to say "IN US PEOPLE WORK AT LEAST 2 JOBS" .

there are a lot more to the Film try watching SiCKO by michael moore you will find out how similar our healthcare is to the US in terms of expense and How US health care system are being controlled by Huge Pharmaceutical companies much like the Philippines.

Michael Moore is not even close to being a CONTRIBUTOR bai but a mere BLACK PROPAGANDIST . Remember Fahrenheit 9 / 11 ? That was around the presidential race of BUSH and KERRY . Now Sicko ? Ugma na ra ba ang election sa presidential race pod ni OBAMA and McCAIN . See the denominator ?

[Jerry Michael]

I've seen this docu/expose'/movie last year. It points out the flaws of the American health system. Very well researched & an eye opener. Kudos Michael Moore - may your tribe increase! Here's the synopsis of Sicko.

Source

Synopsis

According to Sicko, almost fifty million Americans are uninsured and those 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, as well as former employees of insurance companies who describe cost-cutting initiatives that encourage bonuses for insurance company physicians to deny medical treatments for policy holders.

In Canada, Moore describes the case of Tommy Douglas, who was voted the Greatest Canadian in 2004 for his contributions to the Canadian health system. Moore also interviews a microsurgeon and people waiting in the emergency room of a Canadian public hospital.

Against the backdrop of the history of the American health care debate, opponents of universal health care are set in the context of 1950s-style anti-communist propaganda. A 1960s record distributed by the American Medical Association and narrated by Ronald Reagan warns that universal health care could lead to communism. In response, Moore shows that "socialized" American services such as police, fire service, postal service, public education and community libraries have not led to communism.

The origins of the Health Maintenance Organization Act of 1973 are presented using a taped conversation between John Ehrlichman and President Richard Nixon on February 17, 1971; Ehrlichman is heard telling Nixon that "...the less care they give them, the more money they make", a plan that Nixon remarked "appeals to me". This led to the expansion of the modern HMO-based health care system. Connections are highlighted between Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the lobbying arm of the largest drug companies in the United States, lobbying groups in Washington D.C., and the United States Congress. Hillary Clinton, a champion of the Clinton health care plan, is shown to be the Senate's second-highest recipient of health care industry campaign donations.

In the United Kingdom, a country whose National Health Service is a comprehensive publicly-funded health care system, Moore interviews patients and inquires about in-hospital expenses incurred by patients, only to be told that there are no out-of-pocket payments. Moore visits a UK pharmacy, where pharmaceuticals are free of charge for persons under 16 or over 60, and subsidised in most cases for everyone else; only a fixed amount of £7.10 per prescription is charged (approximately €8.80 or US$12.55), irrespective of cost to the NHS. Further, NHS hospitals employ a cashier, part of whose job is to reimburse low-income patients for their out-of-pocket travel costs to the hospital. Interviews include an NHS general practitioner, an American woman residing in London, and Tony Benn, a Labour politician and former Member of Parliament. Benn compares a hypothetical attempt to dismantle the NHS with reversing women's suffrage and says it would result in a revolution.

In France, Moore visits a hospital and interviews the head of obstetrics and gynaecology and a group of American expatriates. Moore rides with the "SOS Médecins", a 24-hour French medical service that provides house calls by physicians. Moore discovers that the French government provides social services, such as day care for $1 an hour and neonatal support that includes cooking, cleaning, and laundry services for new mothers.

Returning to the United States, interviews disclose that 9/11 rescue workers who volunteered after the September 11, 2001 attacks were denied government funds to care for physical and psychological maladies they subsequently developed, including respiratory disease and PTSD. Unable to receive and afford medical care in the U.S., the 9/11 rescue workers, as well as all of Moore's friends in the film needing medical attention, sail from Miami to Cuba on three speedboats in order to obtain free medical care provided for the enemy combatants detained at the U.S. Guantanamo Bay detainment camp. The group arrives at the entrance channel to "Gitmo" and Moore uses a megaphone to request access, pleading for the 9/11 victims to receive treatment that is on par with the medical attention the "evildoers" are receiving. The attempt ceases when a siren is blown from the base, and the group moves on to Havana, where they purchase inexpensive medicine and receive free medical treatment. Providing only their name and birth date, the volunteers are hospitalized and receive medical attention.

Finally, Moore addresses the audience, emphasizing that people should be "taking care of each other, no matter the differences". To demonstrate his personal commitment to this theme, Moore decides to help one of his biggest critics, Jim Kenefick, webmaster of MooreWatch. According to a blog posting, Kenefick was planning to shut down his anti-Moore website because he needed US $12,000 to cover the costs of medical treatment for his sick wife. Not wanting the U.S. health care system to trump Kenefick's ability to express his opinion, Moore sends Kenefick the money anonymously.

Release

Sicko premiered on May 19, 2007 at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, receiving a 15-minute standing ovation from 2,000 people at the Grand Theatre Lumiere. The North American premiere of Sicko was held in London, Ontario (where some scenes from the movie were filmed) at the Silver City movie theatre at Masonville Place on June 8, 2007, with Moore in attendance. It also had an early premiere in Washington D.C. on June 20, two days before its U.S. release, with Moore appearing at a Capitol Hill press conference to promote the film.

The European premiere was held in Great Britain on October 24, 2007 at the Odeon Leicester Square as part of the 51st London Film Festival. Moore was to introduce the film, but remained in America due to a 'family issue,' sending a lengthy letter to be read in his stead. Part of the letter gave thanks to the Rt Hon Tony Benn, featured in the film, who delivered a succinct speech before the showing.

[vern]

What is a black propagandist?

[Jerry Michael]

^ A psywar operative, perhaps?

[Dorothea]

Maglisod ug himong Universal Health Care ning US kay grabe kadaghang lobbyists ning Pharmaceutical Companies sa Washington, and these companies are amongst the biggest contributors in political campaigns. The hands of healthcare workers are tied, because healthcare in the US is essentially run by these pharmaceutical giants and their more powerful twin, the PBMs. Together, they dictate pretty much everything that has anything to do with healthcare. I have seen my share of patients recently who have lost their coverage because they got laid off, the desperation in their voice, the despair. It is very upsetting. A sweet, kind lady I know who has no coverage has resorted to getting her asthma medication from Canada where it only costs $50, while it costs $280 in the US.
I am not saying that healthcare in the US is totally in shambles. Because obviously, most people here enjoy health benefits that people in other countries can only dream of. But there is much room for improvement gyud.

[Hozenyan]

Bah, be careful with Moore, that guy is a sneaky fellow, even though i agree with a lot of his points, I seen how he tackled the Issues with the Nazi Gold in Swiss Banks.

He had a translator ask an Old Swiss woman, "should Swiss banks return Nazi money". No "Jewish Gold" was mentioned but in the subs stood "Jewish Victims Money" and the Granny replied "No that money is ours now". and then he portrayed that opinion to be that of the entire Swiss population. Also in the movie bowling for columbine, (not sure it was that movie though) he said he got a rifle just after opening an account, a follow up interview with one of the banks employees on the other hand claimed that he was totally bitching around and to please him as a customer they rushed his background check to give him the rifle which normally would have taken more than three days.

Still I mostly agree with his opinions, but sometimes his "facts" seem dubious. While Fact remains that in the US if you can afford the health care, you don't have to wait...in Switzerland for example, you may enjoy hours of waiting if you want treatment for a severe headache, but then again, if you get serious injuries, you'll never get booted out to the streets. It has its pros and cons, but the pros of socialized health care seem more convincing , of course rich folk who have a bigger income than 250 000 USD per year might disagree.. i bet Joe the plumber or Dunstin the CEO would disagree with me. But Dora the Explorer would love Hillary s Health Care Plans.

Anyhow, even if reality has often a liberal Bias, not all arguments in his documentaries seem to reflect reality

[eax]

You realize that as a Filipino, if you can afford to have an operation in the US, money probably isn't the issue ... care probably is right?

Like many of Moore's movies, this movie has an agenda. It tells one side ... his side ... and displays the downfall of another plan. I like universal healthcare ... but that doesn't mean it doesn't have it's downfalls. It is folly to believe that one way of doing things will solve any and all problems.

Sakto. One-sided ra si michael moore.

[Kenshiro]

You realize that as a Filipino, if you can afford to have an operation in the US, money probably isn't the issue ... care probably is right?

Like many of Moore's movies, this movie has an agenda. It tells one side ... his side ... and displays the downfall of another plan. I like universal healthcare ... but that doesn't mean it doesn't have it's downfalls. It is folly to believe that one way of doing things will solve any and all problems.

Well denying the poor health care probably has advantages.

Universal health care has no disadvantages in terms of doctors and quality as seen on Moor's films.
Doctors there are more service or patient oriented since they don't have to worry about patients unable to pay the bills they focus on treating the patient. A General Practitioner Recieves about 80,000Pounds a year Doctors lived in a million dollar apartment paid by the government Well that is more than enough for me.

Well you can always compare doctors here in the Philippines and States lets say sure they have more income but they are so damn expensive people could not afford them. That is why when it comes to health
care in the Philippines, Radios stations are your best choice when it comes to begging in order to pay for Hospital Bills. Have you heard of tabang patrol in DYAB radio stations, horrible stories I couldn't stand listening to. Parents begging for donation since has 150k+ Php bill for hospitals for their children's healthcare treatment since doctors and hospitals won't give any treatment before they themselves pay first, and they have jobs like construction worker and some are trycicle drivers and the likes. Imagine how in the world can they pay 150k+.
Well health care in US is quite similar to the Philippines.

Doctors and Nurses in US are even fed up with how the healthcare system works there and staged rallies in favor of Moor.
YouTube - Sicko Rally

Actually .... and in reality , who would trust someone their KIDS to a " NANNY " they dont even know nor met before ? Yes in the Philippines , you hire a YAYA where by referrals , you knew them or in the US by referrals also . You get what you pay for and I rather pay than being SORRY if that is the case that I need a NANNY that I dont know

Since they have hyper wage there. Nannies in France probably have 10 times higher salary compared to here.
And yayas here in the Philippines have a pretty good reputation for honesty.
Oh there is also a research conducted their daycare are of a very high standard.
The government provides nannies for mothers who recently gave birth.

What is a black propagandist?

You have to see it. That is backed up with investigations, interview and researched in great detail.

Just like any other LABOR CODES that existed bai .... have you asked yourself , been to France to know that was it really IMPLEMENTED by the EMPLOYERS ? In some parts maybe yes but with a drawback of shytloads of OVERTIME , my aunt worked in paris before she moved to Rome .

a minimum of 5 weeks mandatory vacation leave or more for big companies. It defeats the purpose of relaxed employees are more productive if let them work overtime for the vacation time they spent.

Bro its unlike here in the Philippines when you go on vacation your employer will demand shitload of overtime, That is the system we use here in the Philippines.
In a research for Americans living in france if they work 35 hours a week they would get extra day off.

Also I forgot to mention. Pharmacuetical Drugs in UK cost only 6.50 pounds I think. No matter how much you purchase how expensive the drugs are it only cost 6.50 pounds. If you have Cancer or AIDS and the drugs and medication that you need are a lot and still would only cost 6.50 pounds as a standard. Senior Citizens and jobless are exempted.

In research people in UK lived at least 3 years longer than US.