Michael Moore versus the US Healthcare System
October 26, 2007
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Health Industry News - Commentary
Famed documentary filmmaker, Michael Moore has attacked the US healthcare policies in his new movie, entitled Sicko. In it, he attacks the HMO systems and insurance companies, well known for declining patients care due to lack of medical necessity or because the procedure is considered experimental. He featured several people victimized by various insurance companies or HMOs and, for a time, it seemed like the entire two hour movie would be a litany of healthcare nightmares.
By Christine Traxler M.D.
Famed documentary filmmaker, Michael Moore has attacked the US healthcare policies in his new movie, entitled Sicko. In it, he attacks the HMO systems and insurance companies, well known for declining patients care due to lack of medical necessity or because the procedure is considered experimental. He featured several people victimized by various insurance companies or HMOs and, for a time, it seemed like the entire two hour movie would be a litany of healthcare nightmares.
He introduced the audience to those who live in the northern part of the country who have dual citizenship with Canada and who have faked "common law marriages" with Canadians just to get the benefits of the Canadian healthcare system. Traveling to the UK and to France, he entertained the audience with stories of people who are used to getting their healthcare free. In France, one can get a free nanny of sorts who comes in for 8 hours a week to do their laundry and take care of the baby while the mother gets things done, like shopping, etc.
The policies of Canada, France and the UK involve universal free healthcare for all citizens. In spite of those who claim there are long waiting periods and diminished level of care, Michael Moore found only those who were happy with the system. He spoke to doctors and patients alike, including transported Americans, who had nothing but good things to say about this type of health system.
One of the highlights of the movie was a segment about individuals suffering from heath issues as a result of being volunteers at the 9/11 ground zero rescue site. As they weren’t government employees, they were not eligible for healthcare. Michael Moor got the idea that, since the terrorists at Guantanamo Bay received free universal healthcare, he hired a boat and took these people to Cuba. While they couldn’t get into Guantanamo Bay, they made it to Havana, where they had free, universal healthcare. The 9/11 volunteers were all admitted and treated for free in Havana, despite being US citizens. The whole thing was really touching.
His whole message was that US health policies need serious revamping and that a great many US citizens are falling through the cracks. As a healthcare provider, I can’t agree more. It would take a great deal for the US to overcome lobbying efforts, taxpayer concerns and Congress in general to get the kind of healthcare that the rest of the Western world takes for granted. We’re closer to China, which has essentially no insurance system, than we are to many modern countries. Possibly, a movie like Sicko will help change policy in the US for the better.
About the Author
Dr. Christine Traxler was a family practice physician in rural Minnesota before turning to medical writing and editing. She currently lives and works in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has two daughters.
