Some sort of review: Sicko

I should probably state right up front that I am a fan of Michael Moore's movies. Ever since his first film, Roger & Me, I have enjoyed his other efforts and still miss his television show. I also want to state (and I think most of you know this about me) that I question almost everything...even if it's written, sung, or stated, by someone I like or agree with.

Disclaimer over--now to the review.

Where to start? I liked the movie. I liked that it opens up a venue for debate. I think you would be hard pressed to walk out of this movie and not at least wonder if our health care system could be better. And, ultimately I think the debate is the point of the movie.

Moore doesn't really offer concrete solutions for the health care problem here in the U.S. He asks the blanket question--why don't we have universal health care? Seems a fair thing to ask, especially after you hear the testimonials from citizens of countries where universal care exists. And after hearing what has happened to U.S. citizens who have insurance, you want to storm the Bastille, er...United Health Care perhaps?

The pull of the film rests within the faces of those who have worked hard, who have paid their premiums, who are trying to do the right thing and get screwed over by companies that are more concerned with the bottom line than the care of their customers. I suppose one could argue "that's capitalism," but I think that's a cop out. The well being of the populace shouldn't be placed in the same venue as the competition between Playstation and Wii. It shouldn't be about purposely denying claims to keep revenues up in order to get a monetary bonus. Moore has pretty much left those without insurance out of this argument. What kind of country are we where the people who pay for the services can't get the services? One woman was charged for an ambulance ride because it hadn't been pre-approved...she was knocked out and had to be removed from her car by the fire dept. How was she supposed to get approval?

It's not so much about one country's health care system being better than another, but about how people in those countries regard their fellow citizens. The impression you get from the Brits, French, Canadians, and ex-Pats is a healthy populace is a strong populace. You take care of those who are sick so they can get better and can contribute in their own way. You take care of children so they grow up to be productive. You do it because it is the right and humane thing to do.

The film stumbles a bit because there is not much discussion into what problems may exist in these other systems. But, I will say, everyone he spoke to looked very surprised when he kept asking them how much someone would have to pay for various medical treatments. Granted, he could easily leave out someone who had a less than positive opinion. You have to remember, Moore has a specific purpose to his movie and while it would be better for him to present another view, I think you can cut him some slack because he doesn't really claim to be unbiased. He pretty much lets you know up front what you are going to see.

There are plenty of sad stories along with some laughs. Moore is savvy enough to know which buttons to push and when you're trying to get a point across that's what you do. If we wanted a dry debate on health care, we could watch CSPAN. Of course, then you'd just get pissed off 'cuz no one ever seems to be there when they should be...seriously, are these people ever in their seats? Is this why we have senators and congressmen wasting our time standing up in front of no one to talk about the 50th Anniversary of Peeps?

I think my favorite moment had to be when Moore takes several 9/11 volunteers, who have been denied health care for conditions created because they were helping clear debris and find bodies, to Gitmo in hopes of getting free medical attention. We are shown a montage of various politicians talking about how good the medical care is in Gitmo. We are told how each enemy combatant is monitored, how they have the latest examining equipment, how they even get regular colonoscopies for goodness sakes!!! (Hope I got that right.)

I'm sure at the time all this discussion came up it was to show how Gitmo wasn't Abu G. Some of these guys were going out of their way to talk about how great AND FREE was the care of the people who allegedly were behind one of the worst events in our countries recent history. Funny how shit comes back to haunt you.

Moore takes a boat load of folks to Gitmo (technically US territory, not Cuban) to try and get them some help. Obviously, he will not be able to get them inside. Obviously, it is being done to prove a point. But, it is one hell of a funny and somewhat sickening point to make. The gang go ahead and go to Havana where the 9/11 folk get super cheap meds and get evaluated (for free) and are given medical treatment plans to follow in the U.S.

I'm not so naive that I don't wonder a bit at how good it looks for Cuba to treat these people well. Moore probably had to get permission to shoot in the hospital. They knew he was there. They knew he had cameras. They want to make a good impression. But here's the thing, I wonder if these same people showed up at their respective hospitals, etc. in the U.S. with cameras in tow, would they be given the same care they were given in Cuba? Or, more likely, would they be asked to leave the premises?

I also have no problem with Moore playing the "9/11" card since virtually every politician seeking re-election played that card and Bush drags it out almost daily. At least I feel like Moore is trying to draw attention to an issue rather than create a distraction to keep us from thinking about what our problems are.

Here's a bit of coincidence for you--when I got home I read an article online about a group of 9/11 rescue workers suing WTC Captive Insurance for part of the $1 billion set up by Congress to help those injured during the clean up. Here's the rub. Apparently the excuse is the Captive Insurance fund is not so much a fund from which medical claims can be paid; the fund is set up to make payments only if someone sues and wins. Congress seemingly never set up a fund to flat out take care of these people. They essentially set up the fund to handle legal issues. How's that for a thank you...

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No one got the quote this time around. It was from Animal House. John Belushi is trying to convince his frat brothers that now is the time to fight back at their expulsion and get back at the school, etc. Also, I'm moderately bummed no one voted in the poll. I'll admit it wasn't the cleverest question. It was one of those things where I discovered I could put something up so I just winged it. Perhaps the next one will be better.