Michael Moore's "Sicko"

[hanselthecaretaker]

Will the U.S. ever adopt socialized medicine/universal healthcare like other developed countries?

I wonder how much of this movie is true. The Al-Queida terrorists receiving free and near premium health care at Guantanamo Bay, for example, while hard working American citizen 9/11 rescue workers are still suffering from adverse health effects from volunteering their time and energy....with little consideration from their health care providers or government.

There was a good quote at the end of the movie as well (by a French person, who through media we're keen on ridiculing/shunning) that hopefully is still relevant-

"The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults."
-Alexis de Tocqueville

Actually I think I'll use that as my new sig.

 

[milo hobgoblin]

I wonder how much of this movie is true.

5 minutes of research would answer that question.

 

[hanselthecaretaker]

5 minutes of research would answer that question.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11285514&ps=bb2#11291249

He glossed over some points conveniently but for the most part it's true. We could have a much better system for being the most developed country in the world. Some of the hardest working people in the country getting turned down by their corporate whoring insurance/health care companies.

 

[needtogetarmy]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11285514&ps=bb2#11291249

He glossed over some points conveniently but for the most part it's true. We could have a much better system for being the most developed country in the world. Some of the hardest working people in the country getting turned down by their corporate whoring insurance/health care companies.

His movie contains a ton of lies. I wouldn't say it for the most part is true. His portrayal of health care in Cuba was outlandish.

I personally do not think my tax money should go and may for the health care of people who do not take care of their bodies. In the US Americans spend more money on cigarettes and beer than on health care each year. That is a joke.

I personally do not have any problems getting health care. I busted my ass my entire life and I can afford insurance. Imagine that! Working for something and reaping the benefits of it. The problem with America is that there are too many leaches sucking the blood of hardworking people.

 

[Lestat]

yes, we will all one day have universal healthcare. people will still make money and fine careers through it, but we won't value corporate profits over people's health.

 

[Longhorn85]

No we won't. We value choice and low taxes too much to become a quasi-socialist country.

 

[katdav]

His movie contains a ton of lies. I wouldn't say it for the most part is true. His portrayal of health care in Cuba was outlandish.

I personally do not think my tax money should go and may for the health care of people who do not take care of their bodies. In the US Americans spend more money on cigarettes and beer than on health care each year. That is a joke.

I personally do not have any problems getting health care. I busted my ass my entire life and I can afford insurance. Imagine that! Working for something and reaping the benefits of it. The problem with America is that there are too many leaches sucking the blood of hardworking people.

Yeah...until you get really, really sick and the insurance co turns down your claim and you have to fight them in court and then you die cuz they're not paying for your treatment.

 

[needtogetarmy]

Yeah...until you get really, really sick and the insurance co turns down your claim and you have to fight them in court and then you die cuz they're not paying for your treatment.

My wife had cancer and they covered that.

Insurance companies sometimes do give people the runaround but it is not as common as the media and Hollywood makes it out to be.

The bottom line is you get what you pay for. If people pay $4 for a meal at a fast food joint they should not expect a 16 oz. steak. The same goes for health care.

 

[katdav]

My wife had cancer and they covered that.

Insurance companies sometimes do give people the runaround but it is not as common as the media and Hollywood makes it out to be.

The bottom line is you get what you pay for. If people pay $4 for a meal at a fast food joint they should not expect a 16 oz. steak. The same goes for health care.

I hope your wife is ok..................that's rough.

 

[Phaded]

i wouldn't mind if someone killed that fat motherfucker

 

[katdav]

Bowling for Columbine was good and Roger and Me......

 

[guest username]

I don't foresee us adopting a socialized health system anytime soon. Having worked in a socialized health system (the UK's National Health Service), I can assure you that Americans would not tolerate the wait times of the UK. In the UK and Canada, elective hip replacements can take up to a year, and emergent cardiac bypasses can take up to 10 days.

Healthcare isn't "free" there as many think. The citizens of countries with socialized healthcare are taxed extensively.

Personally, I favor adopting the Swedish system. Make citizens responsible for their health insurance, make it a requirement to have health insurance, and have hefty penalties if you do not have insurance. It seems to work the best IMHO. Employers would need to increase pay so employee's can purchase health insurance (instead of using the money to pay for the employee's insurance, the employer gives it to the employer for them to find the best healthcare plan).

With individuals responsible for obtaining their own coverage, it would mean better rates for the general public who does not have health insurance through their employer (e.g., those that work part-time, or for a company with few employees). Employers get discounts by purchasing in groups, and those without health insurance would realize those discounts once people were responsible for their own health insurance. Also, by requiring insurance and introducing legislation to ban the discrimination of people based on pre-existing conditions, everyone would have access to insurance.

For those who believe a socialized health system would work in the US, I point to you one example of its flagrant failure: Medicare.

 

[EnderJE]

No we won't. We value choice and low taxes too much to become a quasi-socialist country.

True, you do. But I'm not sure if that's a completely good thing or a completely bad thing. If I believe what I read on Fox, then the poor counties are really getting shafted because the people decide to vote base on their belief that they are the next Horatio Algers.

In the end, it's your country and you can run it how your leadership team sees fit.

Mind you, that's not to say that mine is any better. I think that we've gone completely to the other end of the spectrum.

 

[jh1]

yes, we will all one day have universal healthcare. people will still make money and fine careers through it, but we won't value corporate profits over people's health.

Keep singing Kum bi ya.