HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN IN THE UNITED STATES?
Written: Jul 15 '07
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Product Rating:
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| Bang For The Buck |
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Pros: Incredible story of our flawed medical system
Cons: Might have left the Cuba part out
The Bottom Line: Please see this movie and take your friends
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| mike.holmes's Full Review: Sicko |
Michael Moore is a controversial figure to say the least. Even though I've agreed with the premise of each of his previous films, I realize that he rubs many people the wrong way. He's attacked the automotive industry, the NRA, and, of course, George Bush's farcical response to the events of 9/11.
Now, in what I believe is Mr. Moore's finest work, he has taken dead aim at the incredibly bad, corrupt, sorrowful situation concerning "health care" in the United States. Not only is this movie Moore's best documentary, but it is one of the most important films that I have ever seen.
I have one gripe about the way the movie is being marketed. In the promo clips that I've read, the copy states something like:
"This is Michael Moore's funniest film ever!"
or
"I laughed so hard my sides were splitting."
Now, I understand the reason for this marketing technique. Moore does have a tremendous sarcastic ability to reveal truths. He is funny in an interview. But, folks, "Sicko" is NOT a comedy. It is one of the most depressing films that I have ever seen. And yet, it is a movie that I believe every American should see. There are a few funny lines but often the laughter is mixed with tears.
As has been well commented on, Moore did not make this film about the 48 million Americans who have no health insurance (although that is mentioned in the introduction to the film). No, this movie is about Americans who have insurance coverage, or, at least, they think they do.
The first half of the film documents case after case of individuals whose insurance was so woefully inadequate that they either died or went bankrupt due to the failure of our medical system. Each person that he features has either been denied coverage due to the famous "pre-existing condition" clause or because in the eyes of the insurance executives the claimant's treatment was experimental.
For example, one gentleman, who happened to be black, had a form of cancer and his only hope was a bone marrow treatment. His younger brother was found to be a perfect donor, but the insurance company claimed the procedural was too experimental. What utter, unmitigated hogwash!
Many such disheartening examples of our medical system are shown in the film. Moore also documents the inhumane treatment of the under-insured mental patients who are simple dumped out on the streets of our cities. In this land of plenty, this is a disgrace. I have to add a personal note here. Someone very close to me has a serious mental condition. That person's insurance would only cover one week's stay in a hospital. My entire family was assured, however, that this person would not be put out on the street. But, late one night, we received a call that this loved one had been put in a taxi and sent to a bus station with no money to buy a ticket. We were not informed.
I've read a few criticisms of this film that "it is inaccurate" because "our medical system is really better that Moore shows. With my own personal example above and the countless times that I have seen insurance companies deny treatment, I actually think our system is worse than Moore shows.
The latter half of the film contrasts our "system" with those of Canada, England, France and even Cuba. While I'll reserve a comment or two about Cuba in a minute, our system pales in comparison to our neighbor to the North, our mother country and our "hated" former allies, the French. The people in those countries enjoy universal health care. Moore interviews both native citizens of those countries as well as Americans who have moved there and the bottom line is that the American "health care system" is looked upon as a joke. A bad joke.
I must point out that Moore is not saying that we have inferior doctors and/or hospitals in America. It's just that we have a far inferior system for treating all of the people who need medical services.
Probably the most controversial part of the film has Moore taking seriously ill 9/11 workers who have been denied coverage in the U.S. to Gitmo Bay to "receive the medical treatment" the Gitmo patients receive. Denied that treatment, Moore and his fellow Americans check into a Cuban "free" clinic where they are helped without question. This section of the film was problematic for me as I realize that Castro and the Cubans were certainly enjoying the "glory" they were receiving in relation to U.S. medical treatment. It is shown in the film, however, that the U.S. medical system is rated above Cuba's. We rank 36th in the world while Cuba is 38th. We beat out Slovenia by one spot!
Moore attempts to show why our country is such a miserable position. First of all, he shows old clips of the Ameican Medical Association "doctors" warning against the "evils" of socialized medicine. I wish that Moore had been more concise about the age of those clips. The AMA and conservatives in the government have brought out that "socialized medicine" threat every time there have been progressive bills proposed. First of all, social security was going to lead us to "socialism". Then, when I was in high school and debating this very issue, medicaid and medicare were targeted by the medical profession and the insurance companies because those programs would lead to socialized medicine.
As Moore points out, we have a number of programs in the US that could be considered "socialistic." The Post Office, the police, fire departments, our school systems. But, when it comes to the ultimate health of our nation's citizens, we fail miserably.
To his credit, Moore does not single out one political party as the cause of this miserable situation. He points out Hillary Clinton tried to do something about the health system in 1993 and was crucified by the health industry. But he also points out that Hillary is now "beloved" by the health industry. Bush gets a few "slaps to the head" for his lack of care but the fault is shown to be universal.
What can we, the American citizens, do about this problem? Moore shows old footage of the protests against the war in Viet Nam in the late 60's and early 70's. While he doesn't come right out and say it, this kind of protest is needed now. I don't necessarily mean marching in the streets. But, we need to tell our Congressmen and Senators that we are sick and tired of this second class medical treatment and we are not going to take it any more. We need to encourage others to see this film so that the immensity of this problem can be better understood.
Moore does not appear in the film as much as he has in his previous films. He has toned down his political rhetoric but his story is still devastating. I cried several times during the film. For the suffering that goes on. For the inhumanity exhibited. And for the fact that my country, which I love, is failing so profoundly in protecting its citizens.
For this powerful film-making, I give FIVE STARS.
Recommended:
Yes
Movie Mood: Serious Movie
Viewing Method: Other
Film Completeness: Looked complete to me.
Worst Part of this Film: Nothing
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mike.holmes
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Member: Mike Holmes
Location: Odessa, Texas
Reviews written: 1252
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About Me:
TO HONOR TED KENNEDY, CONGRESS SHOULD PASS A MEANINGFUL HEALTH CARE BILL
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