|
By
WAYNE KLEIN
47 million people are
without health insurance. The United States is
ranked just above many third world nations in
terms of its overall health care. The average life
expectancy in the U.S. is three years less than in
Canada. Moore rattles off some interesting
statistics about the business of health care. He
focuses, however, on individuals who have health
care with conditions that are denied routine
treatment because they suddenly become
"experimental" or retroactively deny benefits that
have been approved because a health insurnace
company has found a loop hole. Moore's film has
its own editorial point of view or slant (how
could it not?) whether or not you agree with him
will largely depend upon your experience with
health care in this country and the impact the
film makes on you.
I particularly found touching the vingette on the
woman who's husband was denied a bone marrow
transplant because it was "experimental". The
man's brother was a match and it looked good that
he would have a chance. He died after his last
chance at treatment was denied.
There is also a story about a woman who had a
daughter denied treatment because she was taken to
an ER that didn't take their health insurance.
While that is unusual, it documents the corporate
issues that can contribute to the death of a
child.
More of an editorial than a documentary, Michael
Moore's "Sicko" although far from perfect,
provides an education on the problems within the
health care system in the United States. Politics
always play a part in any discussion of health
care and this one is no different. There are those
who disagree with Moore that our health care
system is broken and just as many that suggest we
could take a lesson from other nations about how
the to effectively treat others with universal
health care.
The film comes with a number of special features
including "Sicko Goes to Washington" where Moore
went to nation's capitol to see if the Rep. John
Conyers sponsored bill HR 676 to reform the health
care system could be passed. We hear some horrible
stories and see some of the actions that CNA
(California Nurse's Association) and others are
taking to try and change things.
"This Country Beats France" focuses on Norway
where health care is the #1 country for literacy,
education and healthcare as well as per capita
income. We rank #66.
"Uniquely American" focuses on the community
fundraiser to help the sick.
"What If You Worked for GE in France?" looks at
benefits working for an American company where
employees get five weeks paid vacation, RTT days
in France, works 35 hours a week and gets other
benefits WE as Americans don't enjoy. Clearly I
need to move to France.
We also get the Hollywood premiere of the movie
and a music video. Moore also had a premiere in
Skid Row in L.A. at the same time as the Hollywood
premiere with all the celebrities.
"Sister Mary Fidel" and "Who Would Jesus Deny?",
"More with Mike & Tony Benn" and an interview
gallery round out the special features for this
set.
Every documentary has its point-of-view and
editorial slant. Michael Moore's film "Sicko" is
no different in that regard. However, Moore's take
on health care in the United States is on target
more often than not and the inaccuracies are
pretty minor overall. Sure, there is no idealized
perfect health care system. There are better ones
than we currently have in the United States. |
