So, I just saw Sicko (Michael Moore), what's the problem?

Question

So I just saw the movie Sicko and don't quite understand the uproar. Moore is simply making an ethical claim that we should have a system established that adequately takes care of all the people. Anyone disagree with the moral claim of the movie? And if the moral claim is true, what type of medical system should we have? I don't think it is HMO medical care, do you?

I understand once again that there might be trouble with socialized medicine and that Moore cherry-picks countries with it: however, if the ethical demand were to take care of everyone, which it should be I think, doesn't that mean socialized medicine, even if it doesn't work, is more ethical?

Also, notice how I haven't mentioned the government yet, maybe the solution should be societal or religious: but aren't we as American's failing in our ethical duties when even one of Moore's examples is true?

Answer 1

Excellent question! It's great how you can see what Moore is doing--presenting this question of "what is moral" and how "immoral" our profit-for-health system is... I don't think 100% "socialized medicine" is the way to go, but there has to be SOMETHING better than what we have now!!!

Moore's rebuttals to CNN/critics: http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/news/article.php?id=10017

Answer 2

The devil in American and Canadian Health Care Systems is that they both profit from disease, and repeat visits. Contrary to what Mr. Moore believes (I e-mailed him on this) is that while Canada has a government pay system, the services provided are still in the private sector. (this is contrary to the political rhetoric, and the misconceptions of the Canadian system) The USA is ranked 36th in the world, Canada 30th, just behind Columbia, however Italy and France are in the top two and seldom if ever mentioned. You see the business of treating disease, and or symptoms leads research and treatment away from simple cause and effect. Many people with intestinal problems are labelled with a disease, ie IBS, Crohns, may develop MS or Cancer. Yet a simple wide spectrum anti-biotic, or herbal treatments for parasites would avoid all the symptoms, and all the treatments, which are billed per visit. Truth can lie...when it is part of the truth. The key to resolving this is to get Big Business to understand that a healthy population will spend more on GM products and Microsoft products. Let us find preventative cures, the current system does not want that, since it would bankrupt them. Caesar J. B. Squitti H. B. Commerece

Answer 3

The problem with the American healthcare system is that it's a business. Hospitals try to make a profit, along with drug companies and insurance agencies. The truth is that Millions of people can't afford the grossly inflated prices that the companies are pandering, while every other civilized country in the world has come to the conclusion that socialized healthcare works.

Health shouldn't be about profit or the bottom line, the American healthcare system doesn't care about you as an individual, and if you keep turning your head away it will ljust get worse.

Answer 4

It comes down to this. The whole problem with medical care in this country is really this simple. More people cannot afford health then can afford it. The reasons do not matter. What does matter is this. Those that cannot afford it use the ER instead of seeing a doctor. They ring up a 800 bill for something a local doc could fix for 100. But here is the kicker. They cannot pay. So the ER, who will never allow themselves to lose money, raises the fee for EVERYONE who does pay, to cover the loses of those who do not. This in turn creates MORE people who cannot pay. And this explains why health care has gone up 20% a year for the last few years. Soon no one will be able to pay, and the system will fall apart. I am conservative, and do not want socialized medicine. But unless we do something to help thos that cannot afford it, no one will. And i do not want to pay more at the doc to cover those that cannot afford it. Its a cycle, and no matter what side you are on, if you think nothing needs to be done you either live with your head in your @ss, or you are 12.

Answer 5

I haven't seen the movie yet, but I plan to, and I am already aware that our profit based system is grossly flawed. I definitely do agree with the moral message of this movie. I think the answer is to look deeply into the various systems that other countries are using to see which ones work the best, and model our own system after one of them. *sm*

Answer 6

I got into an argument with my aunt about this last night. She says socialized healthcare is not good for our country. She says she's studying medicine and she's read all about it. She fails to see that the book she's reading is written by a doctor- a doctor who probably thinks he'll take a huge paycut if our country had socialized healthcare. A doctor who might have to stop prescribing Ritalin to kids who don't need it so that he can pay his Porsche bill on time!

I am all for socialized healthcare. If it works in other countries, it can work here too... in the land of the free.

I did not have healthcare last year when I ended up in the hospital for four days. I ended up with $20,000 in medical bills. How am I going to pay this back?? My employer did NOT offer health care coverage. Now I'm ****** financially. The people against it are Republicans, because they only care about themselves and the rich.

Answer 7

Part of me says, yeah, believe Moore's bull sh!# and propaganda, if you're dumb enough to believe it, you deserve socialized medicine. Under socialized medicine, HMOs would be something to aspire to.
Socialized medicine is a disaster in every country that has it.
One of the major problems with our health care system now is that the medicaid program is running it down. If you pay premiums for health care insurance, you're also paying for a few free riders on top of it.
More socialized medicine is not the answer to the problem, we need less socialized medicine. That will bring costs down.

Answer 8

I believe strongly if you want socialized medicine, than move to a socialized nation.

You will find a lower quality of healthcare, a lower standard of living, and you will miss America.
HMOs and Medicare and Medicaid are crap. They are government crap. I suggest you be unbiased and try to read a little more. Instead of being lazy and just watching some michael moore movie. The government interference is the reason that our system is the way it is. Read it from a doctor.

www.ronpaullibrary.org

Don't be fooled. Healthcare in other nations BLOWS. WE had a speaker at my school come and tell us about his grandmother who lived in amsterdamn who broke her hip. The government has a rationing system for healthcare. If you are between a certain age range, and working you get healthcare immediately. But if you are old you get put on a waiting list. This woman was put in a hospital room with a broken hip and a bunch of old ladys like her. You know what they did? They flew her *** out to America and got her hip replaced.

Do your research don't rely on Michael Moore.

Answer 9

"why is it the governments responsibility to make sure that we have a doctor?? wouldnt it be more ethical to let us choose our own doctors and pay them what we find is reasonable?"

there are so many things wrong with that statement.
don't you know that something like 30 million Americans cannot afford good health. not everyone can afford medical care. medical is so high. people pay taxes to he government. why can't the government pay for people's medical? in Britain people pay taxes and the government gives them medical.

why can't our government do that? we are suppose to be the most powerful nation in the world, yet we cannot give the people good medical care at a reasonable price? and good medical is only available to the wealthy? now that's not fair. and it's just morally wrong. anyone who doesn't see anything wrong with that is just selfish. and only care about themselves.

Answer 10

People who claim socialism doesn't work are people who capitalism works very well for.
(aka rich heartless people)

venom - I am not fat, and I agree completely with Moore... Moore is actually the "average" in America now - or haven't you noticed?

I don't understand why people are still so protective about Bush's terrible image that they are unwilling to listen to anything that Moore says because he rightly criticized him in another film... that's just plain old stubborn.

Also, this is not a Partisan issue, Clinton and Edwards have plenty of bipartisan support on this one... for insurance REFORM... not a complete overhaul of everything we hold dear.

Answer 11

Employers used to always carry the insurance, but since the Union breaking Republicans have been on a tear about this issue many don't anymore !!

The only problem is (with Moore) that he is not a republican.

If he were he would be A GREAT MAN

BUT

Seeing as though the republicans all feel safe with their health insurance, they don't want anyone else to try to get the rest of the country feeling safe too.


They blocked it when Clinton was President because "She is not elected" and they Block it every chance they get.

Simple fact is, they do not care that some people in this countries health and well being is at risk.
Wars are more Important to them.