Sicko

[Brian K Beckett]

I recently watched Michael Mores "SICKO" I found it to be very entertaining and informational. True his film is a little bit one sided so I started researching it on the net. I have found that the majority of arguments against it are from persons emplayed by insurance companies and medical companies from inside the U.S. And most citizens and doctors from countries with a form of Socialized health care are very supportive of it.
I suggest watching it. Research it. And if you agree support bill H.R. 676

[Jeremy]

I think the word "socialized" gives it a bad name. They need to reframe it as "public service healthcare".

[nfd]

Oh you think our friends up north really support "socialized" health care? Try asking a Canadian what they really think of waiting 6 months to get an MRI or CT scan - because they only do them on every other Tuesday of the month and you have to wait your turn because 130 people are in front of you. Yes their prescriptions are cheaper than ours (not due to govt. supported health care - but because their version of the FDA isn't as stringent as the U.S.) but many of them living on the U.S. border cross over to see doctors. And I do know this for a fact - my family is Canadian. I've also spent a lot of time working in auto plants in the Detroit area and gotten to know quite a few Canadians - and each one had a dim view of their health care. In England if you have enough money you can get around the waits by paying for your health care service on your own - but hey - you can do that here. I agree that there needs to be a fix, but the greedy hospitals (it is a business), shyster lawyers and the insurance compnies created this mess. Now it's up to us to bail it out. Go figure.

[Saphrym]

Um, I'm Canadian. I have family that lives across the border from Maine. Health care there is just fine. I've got friends in Toronto. They're quite happy with it also. So I guess it depends on where you live. Same thing goes here, except here, not everyone HAS health care. So yeah, lines are shorter.

[TheMan]

I'm all for affordable health care.. And have mixed feelings on free health care.. Heck.. we have a program that give you that for free now.. All you have to do it not work...

[tkcomer]

We already have socialized health care. It's called Medicare and Medicaid. I really don't know enough to solve the problem. But we do throw a lot of money at this system. Everybody blames everybody else for why it's more expensive than any other country in the world. I'm not sure a total government takeover would lessen the cost any. I haven't seen too many things the government sticks their hands in that actually ended up saving money. Generally, costs and taxes go up once the government gets involved. I've always wonder about dividing the country up into large sections and having the insurance companies bid on those sections. Only one set of paper work to fool with and one set of executives to feed. Back when he was Surgeon General, Koop suggested that in large cities, hospitals specialize. One for pediatrics, one for geriatrics and so on. That way hospitals aren't competing against each other buying the latest equipment trying to treat everything. But then again, this would take government intervention. And the fight over who does what and who gets what would be endless. When you're talking about cutting off the money train to a lot of people, the fights would be ugly. I'm afraid the money train would keep rolling as we are asked to pay for it.

[Brian K Beckett]

U.S. among worst in world for infant death


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071111/ap_on_he_me/saving_the_smallest_us_picture



Doctors and analysts blame broad disparities in access to health care among racial and income groups in the United States.

[tkcomer]

First off, I haven't seen Sicko yet. Second, I have seen the reports on infant deaths in this country. And I'll probably get flamed for this, but here goes. A lot of those infant deaths are due to teen pregnancies. Kids having kids. Mainly poor kids having kids. Teen moms trying to hide their pregnancies, not taking care of themselves, and having premature births. Premie births have skyrocketed in the last few years. 30 years ago, even more would have died. I'm not sure a government takeover of health care would stop that. That won't make a poor, frightened, unwed mom to be head to the doctor's office for proper care before the birth. And a government takeover won't make them take care of those babies after they're born. Don't get me wrong. I see a need for some type of government intervention. Like why should drug companies, who use taxpayer funded research, be allowed to sell drugs cheaper outside this country than in? More urgent care centers. So you don't have to go to the emergency room to get a cut stitched up or your child has an earache. More nurse practitioners. Do you really need a doctor to get your meds refilled? But all these little suggestions cuts someone out of money. You don't have to ration health care to save big bucks. But, my oh my, what a fight there'll be to turn this thing around.

[Bengals_Mama]

I finally watched this movie a while back, and it was very interesting. I keep hearing people in this country say how bad Canada's healthcare system is, and how long the wait is, but in the movie the Canadians were overall pleased with it. I am all for Universal Healthcare, and it is my #1 priority in this year's election. I am a Christian, but I'm not going to vote for a candidate just because they rant about being Christian. Every politician is a liar, it's part of the process. I would rather elect someone who says they are Christian, but won't push their beliefs on everyone else, than someone who will. You just never know who is using their "religion" to get votes, and even if they were a preacher, that doesn't mean they are truly 100% good. My husband's grandfather was just diagnosed with Stage 3 Lung Cancer. He is a farmer, so you know he doesn't have much money. I don't think people realize how much healthcare costs until you get hit with a serious illness like Cancer. So what if I will have to wait a little longer to see the doctor, I do not value my life more than anyone else's. If someone else needs care before I do, then I think that is the right thing to do. How selfish we are here in America. Poor people deserve the same quality insurance as anyone else.

[mark]

First off, I haven't seen Sicko yet. Second, I have seen the reports on infant deaths in this country. And I'll probably get flamed for this, but here goes. A lot of those infant deaths are due to teen pregnancies. Kids having kids. Mainly poor kids having kids. Teen moms trying to hide their pregnancies, not taking care of themselves, and having premature births. Premie births have skyrocketed in the last few years. 30 years ago, even more would have died. I'm not sure a government takeover of health care would stop that. That won't make a poor, frightened, unwed mom to be head to the doctor's office for proper care before the birth. And a government takeover won't make them take care of those babies after they're born.

Hmmm, I'm in total agreement with you here.!!!

Also, I cannot imagine why anyone would believe anything Moore would say.

He doesn't care about America, he's just out to make a few million selling movies..............see ya mark

[tkcomer]

Thought this thread had died. I got around to watching this movie awhile back. Moore is right to take some hard jabs at this country but never really explains just how “they” pay for it on other countries. Higher taxes? How high? Compared to what? Just how do they hold down costs? There really is a lot missing from how “they” actually do it. It was Thomas Friedman (I think) that said we are being taxed to pay for their health care. They don't need to spend gazillions on their militarizes because WE are their military. Money not spent on the military is plowed back into country. Still, hard to explain how are very own sick 9/11 firefighters/EMTs got better diagnosis AND treatment for free in Cuba than from our very own government. That's why I'm not sure about letting our government take over health care. If they'll “cut and run” from our heroes, imagine what they would do to us.

[Maxwells]

I haven't seen the movie..but I will say I have been out of work for 5 months and I can't get any help on anything....I mean not one thing..and believe you me....I am barely making it.....I am referring to Medicare or Medicaid..I took out a Health Ins. Policy on me that has a $5000.00 deductible..so if God forbid anything would seriously happen to me as to where I would be in the hospital..I wouldn't loose my house...GEEZ

[Chuck]

Not everyone has the luxury of health insurance. You all seem to forget is was the American Unions that fought for you to have Health Care Insurance. Yes, even the Government Jobs owe the Health Insurance to Unions.

I have not seen the movie cause I don't need to be bored to death for an hour+ of my life, but I would probably agree with it.

The problem with our current system is that it is all about money and the money trail leads all the way back to congress and the lobbyist.

If you have a reform of the heath care system that complies with the wish of the insurance industry it will be a bad plan for the American People. If you have a system that complies with the wishes of the Insurance Company's I guarantee you that current coverage standard will go to heck.

Open your eyes. It is the ultimate goal of the Insurance Company's to make you pay them the carrier and have a detectable so big that you actually pay all the medical costs on most bills. This is gradually happening.

More and more employers are making employee pay percentages of their insurance while they get away with carrying policy's that are of a lower standard with high deductibles.

[SilverFox]

Michael Moore is a con man and has made millions with his "movies" full of inaccurate and downright phony rhetoric. I don't need a man of this intellect telling me anything. As far as socialized medicine, I hear people in England are even resorting to pulling their own teeth due to dentists being unavailable, people are waiting six months for a gallbladder surgery, etc. Our health care system has flaws that need to be corrected, but putting the government in charge is not the answer. To see how big government operates, one only has to look at the welfare system.

[kybikertrash]

Not everyone has the luxury of health insurance. You all seem to forget is was the American Unions that fought for you to have Health Care Insurance. Yes, even the Government Jobs owe the Health Insurance to Unions.

More and more employers are making employee pay percentages of their insurance while they get away with carrying policy's that are of a lower standard with high deductibles.

:(:(:(

My spouse has held the same job for almost 30 years (a union job, btw) and our health insurance is pathetic. $4000.00 deductible this year. We were already into medical bills this year in the amount of $3000.00 by middle of Feb.

[kdown]

Here's some REAL WORLD facts. We carry insurance on all our employees and their families including prescription drugs. No deductibles. $25.00 co-pay for doctor's visits and/or tests. Prescription co-pays of 10.00, 20.00, 30.00.
The premiums go up EVERY year. Usually 20%. Here's what it costs.

Single = $ 400.00
2 Person = $ 780.00
Family = $ 925.00

Are we gonna have to consider deductibles. You bet.
Where's it written that people shouldn't have to pay part of their health insurance ?

[ponto]

Where's it written that people shouldn't have to pay part of their health insurance ?

Ponto Says: American citizens should not, now or ever, have to buy health insurance.

[kdown]

Ponto Says: American citizens should not, now or ever, have to buy health insurance.

I disagree !

[Brian K Beckett]

Ponto Says: American citizens should not, now or ever, have to buy health insurance.



I agree !!!! LOL

[mark]

Ponto Says: American citizens should not, now or ever, have to buy health insurance.

Who would pay the doctors & hospitals to work?? .......see ya mark

[spinsdiscs]

Ponto Says: American citizens should not, now or ever, have to buy health insurance.

I agree. We should not HAVE TO buy health insurance. Health insurance is an option. Not yet mandated by federal law, like automobile insurance is.

[Brian K Beckett]

Good Christian Americans because thats what Jesus would do!!!

[tkcomer]

I be willing to bet if no one had health insurance a trip to the doctor would be 25 bucks. Emergency room? Maybe a 100 bucks. Bypass surgery would run about 2 grand. Why so cheap? Because they would be forced to lower their prices to stay in business. Of course, hundreds would die because they couldn't afford to go, but that's the capitalist way. Like I've said before, I don't know how to fix the problem. But it seems like every time the government tries to help someone, greedy companies drive the prices up. Insurance companies are forced to pay higher prices. Malpractice suits drives up the price of everything also. All those unnecessary, added costs get dumped on to us. We pour a lot of money into this health care rat hole to be getting the shoddy results that we get.

[ponto]

The health care industry went south when people stopped getting estimates and actually paying the bill personally. People with insurance don't care what the bill is or even if it correct.

Imagine you had wal-mart shopping insurance. You go to the store, fill your cart and sign your name. Would your shopping habits change?