Is the American Health System really that bad . . . .?

Question

I've just watched the Documentary 'Sicko' from Michael Moore and just can't believe it!

http://www.sicko-themovie.com

Answer 1

I for one, live in the US of A . Health care here sucks literally. If you are lucky enough to have a job that offers health care insurance. It helps, but they do take alot out of your pay check for family members and then most all only pay up to 80% of medical and you pay the other 20%. Also, if you have health insurance, the doctors up the bill and charge more.
If you do not have any insurance and do not qualify for government health insurance, then you are screwed. Most hospitals and all clinics will turn you away and tell you to go elsewhere. No insurance, no doctor.
Government health care does not cover dental at all.
I once went to emergency room and was sent to 4 different hospitals in big city before one would even look at me. It was very painful and I almost died.
Only children under the age of 18 are quarenteed medical help. Law says, they can not turn away any child no matter what. So children are safe.
If for any reason you owe at a clinic, they will turn you away until your bill is paid.
People here complain about other countries paing high taxes for medical, but what they don't realize here is that it would be a good thing, cuz then everyone gets help.
Yes we do have good doctors, just the insurance laws are dumb. And unless you are a somebody with lots of $ you never get to see the good doctors anyways.

Answer 2

It is not nearly as bad as the film as America is the leader in innovation in medicine. As all countries it does have it problems and there will be more people covered by universal health carein the future.

There is currently state universal health care for the poor. Seems the middle class is being left out at this point... but do not get me wrong, As elederly people and retired people are covered by universal health care also.

But the good thing is, it is being fine tuned. There is no waiting lines for surgery, the procedures are second to none in the world, no wards where patients are held. Airconditioned hospitals, heated hospitals and more ambulance access with paramedics than anywhere.

America really knows healthcare but there is the fraction of the population without insurance. (this is usually where physicians and hospitals put in place where so much care has to be done for free, to maintain their status as a public hospital)

There are still cracks in the system, that will needed mending so they do not break but I think the current mood for a majority of america, they are willing to do so.

Answer 3

disturbing isn't it? right when i seen your question i only had one intention in mind, to recommend the movie Sicko for you to watch but we're on the same page. It's just sad, i was ashamed to be alive watching that movie after i over came the shock and the feeling of being disturbed and then i got very angry.

My fiance has been wanting us to move there for a couple of years now since he got his childhood guy friends there, but this movie very much made my decision stick. I have no family there and for me or my kids to go through that just doesn't cut it. We never hear anything about heath system from a lot of people personally and probably because it makes them feel like described above unless a documentary is made where then individuals pour out there hearts. I think that's unacceptable, Americans need to fight back endlessly until something is done. Very surely and steadily, the rest of the world is surpassing the U.S. in everything even health care system and they are supposed to be one of the leaders of the world when it comes to such things since they have the means. I can't see myself being apart of a system like that and not do anything about it, it just breaks my heart and dearly i say my heart goes out to all the victims that lives has been overtaken by that unthinkable health system. They are in my prayers, God bless

Answer 4

People travel from all over the World for American health care.

Michael Moore is a left -wing radical who hates everything American. Moore in no way represents American mainstream public opinion.

Answer 5

I saw that movie, too. The thing he doesn't tell you is how high the income taxes are in all those other countries to support their healthcare systems. US Taxes are lower.

I think the one thing that his movie does prove is that our Insurance System is broken and is that bad. Insurance companies should not be able to deny anyone care. They are raking in millions of dollars while people who think they are insured are being denied their claims in the end.

I think there are pros and cons to the "universal health care" idea. I think if it was limited to legal american citizens and green-card/visa holders then I'd be all for it.

Answer 6

its not as bad as micheal moore portrays it to be
he is a reactionary with an agenda and that influences his "movies"
we have some of the best medical care in the world, if you have health insurance
the problem is that to many people don't
a large number of the worlds leaders come here for their medical treatment and a lot of rich foriegners do the same simply because they get better care here than in their home country

Answer 7

Believe it and be glad you are in OZ YIPPEE

EDIT: our taxes are not high and anyway I would rather pay more tax to have the health system we have rather than the one that Americans don't have!!
Glad I m in OZ

Answer 8

That surprises me. I've always had the impression that anything can be cured in the US - if you can pay for it.

Answer 9

It is unrepairably broken.
And will probably always be.