DeAnneAmerican Healthcare System Makes Me Sick!
July 25th 2007 07:56
American Healthcare System Makes Me Sick
I finally got to see Michael Moore’s new movie, Sicko. (I realize it came out a few weeks ago, but I live in the sticks, and it’s only been here about a week.)
So, it finally came to town, and we loaded up to go. Honestly, I was thinking that I’d rather see Harry Potter than sit through a documentary, but I went along to keep peace. Ironically, I was on the edge of my seat, completely FIRED UP and PISSED OFF, while hubby snored through most of the film.
OK – I’ve always been for a universal national healthcare plan, but I’ve never done any research on the subject. I know that Canada had a plan, but – like most everyone – I believed the hype about Canadians being dissatisfied with it. I never really even thought about who else had national healthcare plans, or how well they worked.
I know there are a lot of people who won’t be caught dead watching a Michael Moore film. (Most of my family would be on that list.) So I‘m going to do a quick walk-through the main points.
He begins by introducing us to several American (US) individuals and families who, though they had health insurance, have had devastating losses due to insurance denials, or outrageous out-of-pocket expenses. He explains a bit about the Canadian system, and shows some Canadians who seem to be happy with their plan. Moving along, we get a glimpse of the national healthcare system in the United Kingdom. It seems even better than Canada’s. But, France is the one that surprised me the most (so far). They not only have
completely FREE hospitalization and doctor visits, they also have 24 hour house call services, assistance for new parents (like a part-time nanny), low-cost day care, and no cost education – through COLLEGE! You won’t believe these labor laws – full pay (yes, 100%) sick leave AS NEEDED (even if it’s months), MINIMUM five weeks paid vacation per year (even for part-time workers), and full day paid moving expense. I’m sure there were more, but I can’t remember them all now. Almost made me want to move to France. Oh, wait – I LOVE MY COUNTRY – so let’s work for these benefits HERE!
OK – so those are all democracies, right. But wait.
Heroes – who are not being treated for their illnesses.
Next the conditions at Guantanamo Bay were discussed. Apparently, the prisoners there are treated properly. They have excellent healthcare. As Moore put it – finally somewhere on US soil has free universal healthcare! Those who caused the death and destruction on 9-11 are given free, excellent healthcare, while those who became ill trying to save lives are left to die. That’s a shame.
So, Michael Moore loaded up a couple of boats with these heroes who are ill, and took them to Cuba – to see if they could be treated at Guantanamo Bay. The Navy didn’t let them in. But the Cubans did. A Cuban hospital gave each of them a thorough medical examination. Treated them all. Provided medicines. Prescribed long-term treatment plans. And didn’t charge anything.
I have to admit, I was truly astonished to find out how many countries offer universal healthcare. The US is about the only developed country that doesn’t. Why? Don’t you want it? I know I do. Most everyone I know does. We must demand it from our legislators. They have a wonderful health plan, we should be able to have at least as good as our representatives do, after all, who do THEY work for?
I finally got to see Michael Moore’s new movie, Sicko. (I realize it came out a few weeks ago, but I live in the sticks, and it’s only been here about a week.)
| Now, I ‘m not Moore’s biggest fan, so I’m usually perfectly happy to wait until his movies come out on DVD, or – better yet – HBO, or Showtime. Though I don’t always agree with what he has to say, I do like his movies for the different perspective they bring out. Even being a proponent of universal healthcare, I wasn’t planning to camp out by the theater to see this one. (Not that I would have needed to, there were only six people in the theater when I saw it!) My husband, on the other hand, couldn’t wait for it to come to town. In fact, when it didn’t open locally at the same time it did everywhere else, we almost drove 150 miles to see it. |  Movie poster for Michael Moore's SICKO
|
OK – I’ve always been for a universal national healthcare plan, but I’ve never done any research on the subject. I know that Canada had a plan, but – like most everyone – I believed the hype about Canadians being dissatisfied with it. I never really even thought about who else had national healthcare plans, or how well they worked.
I know there are a lot of people who won’t be caught dead watching a Michael Moore film. (Most of my family would be on that list.) So I‘m going to do a quick walk-through the main points.
He begins by introducing us to several American (US) individuals and families who, though they had health insurance, have had devastating losses due to insurance denials, or outrageous out-of-pocket expenses. He explains a bit about the Canadian system, and shows some Canadians who seem to be happy with their plan. Moving along, we get a glimpse of the national healthcare system in the United Kingdom. It seems even better than Canada’s. But, France is the one that surprised me the most (so far). They not only have
National Health Service hospital in UK
OK – so those are all democracies, right. But wait.
| Moore introduced a few more Americans. Heroes – volunteers who worked so hard to try to save lives on September 11, 2001. Heroes – who are now sick because of their courageous efforts. |  GROUND ZERO - Courtesy of the Prints and Photographs Division. Library of Congress.
|
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
So, Michael Moore loaded up a couple of boats with these heroes who are ill, and took them to Cuba – to see if they could be treated at Guantanamo Bay. The Navy didn’t let them in. But the Cubans did. A Cuban hospital gave each of them a thorough medical examination. Treated them all. Provided medicines. Prescribed long-term treatment plans. And didn’t charge anything.
I have to admit, I was truly astonished to find out how many countries offer universal healthcare. The US is about the only developed country that doesn’t. Why? Don’t you want it? I know I do. Most everyone I know does. We must demand it from our legislators. They have a wonderful health plan, we should be able to have at least as good as our representatives do, after all, who do THEY work for?
We must DEMAND that our legislators get the healthcare industry out of their pockets, and figure out a way to provide free, universal healthcare to ALL AMERICANS!
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Comment by Jeff Musall
Secular Humanity