Monday, February 18, 2008

Sicko (again)

I wrote a blog last semester about a movie critique I had read about the movie "Sicko." I didn't see the movie until tonight though. We were offered extra credit to go see the movie "Sicko", playing at Rhodes, for our UNHP class. I was really excited because I had been wanting to see it ever since I read that article last semester. I'm still in awe. The movie is a real eye-opener and really gets you thinking. For those of you who know nothing of this movie, it is a documentary by Michael Moore of our country's health care system/health insurance. Many people are anti-Michael Moore because of his controversial ideas, but he really seems to stick to the facts and while he does show his opinions, I would consider them the opinions of the American people, not just his.

It really made me angry and sad to watch this movie and see the things that happen to uninsured Americans. Even those who are insured are not always fully covered. The movie documented stories of families who faced bankruptcy and death of loved ones all because their health insurance wouldn't pay for medicine or operations. All of this is a result of greedy insurance companies. They refuse to pay for needed medical assistance and even look for reasons why you shouldn't be covered to save them money. Isn't the point of health insurance to pay for medicare that you can not afford? It really just makes you sick to see the things that result when insurance companies refuse to pay. To see the type of people that suffer and the things they go through all because an insurance company wants to make a dollar.

What really makes you angry is to see all the countries that provide free healthcare to its citizens. That's right, absolutely FREE. Canada, Great Britain, France, even Cuba provide free healthcare. No more than 10 dollars in these countries get you the tests, surgeries, medications, etc. that you might need to survive a healthy life. You would think in such a developed and rich country as ours is, we would be able to receive free healthcare. But no, the United States is number 37 when it comes to ranking of good healthcare systems. In France you get a minimum of 5 paid weeks of vacation. This has nothing to do with sick days. There is no such thing as sick days in fact, because if you are sick, who's to tell you how long you can be sick for?

Obviously our country has some serious issues in the healthcare department. What are these other countries doing? Why can't our government learn from their example? The movie is full of comical relief. I think the best was when they showed how many American citizens do not get coverage they need, therefore do not get the medicare they need; but then went on to show Gauntanama Bay where they held a dozen Al Quida terrorists on American soil in a penetentiary where they received the best medical attention available. That's what really makes you wonder. How corrupt is your healthcare system when the terrorists are getting better medical attention than you are? It is really sickening.

I really encourage anyone who hasn't seen this movie to go out and rent it. And while I'm not sure what I can do to change this, it is something worth looking into. If it doesn't change I might just be packing up for France in the near future.