Sicko (Special Edition)

My boyfriend and I ran across this on Tv. Though we caught it in the middle, it was enough to catch my interest and buy the film. Not disappointed and was ready to show others the film that I know. So many people are ignorant about what is going on though luckily a lot of my friends are ex-military brats, whose parents have family outside the US. There is so much that those who have lived their entire life in the US do not know, and may never know because they havent even left their own city or state. There are a lot of things wrong with our country and there are those who refuse to hear or see any of it, because there are those who get offended if you talk down about 'Murica! I've lived in the US most of my life but my father serving in the military gave me the chance to see the other sides.I have far to many personal stories of messed up stuff when it comes to health care of the military, where it lacks a whole lot. These are people who give up their lives to keep the US safe and secure yet even they are cut down on care and benefits. Whether you dont know or refuse to see, there have been plenty of stuff about it on the news. My father was military and my mother dies last year from cancer that could of been avoided and she was supposedly covered through my fathers military benefits, yet they ignored a lot and refused a lot. Wish I could of recorded it even to the last minute of her dying breath. I refused for her to go into hospice care cause i've seen and heard enough of what goes on there as well. I quit my job to take care of her and now struggle with trying to find work, not because opening are lacking but because I have disabled twins and there is no work willing to work with the schedule of days i need for their therapy.A company opened up a new facility here for therapy for disabled children. They originally came from South America and have now opened up facilities in other locations as well, but only one has recently opened up in the US. My twins were getting an hour of therapy from their previous therapy, one day a week. That was all that was available because Dr's for children therapy are lacking or spots are hard to come by. Thankfully I got them in on the list for this new location. Sadly no insurance in the US wants to ok them. So everyone has to make payments. They do far more therapy then any other facility in my state, and only charge a few bucks here and there, its pennies to how much all the therapies actually cost. So thankful for it but I feel so bad that there are not more facilities like this. There are tons of parents coming out month after month from states farther away just to get whatever help they cane for their child. The limit is 600 patients and they have reached it and the waiting list is already back up to 3 years in waiting. I was told years before by another Dr that if my boys don't improve by the age of 18 they may have to get surgery in their hip area, and they will have to heal for several months. When I got a chance to sit with all the therapists and Dr's at this new facility and I told them of what I was told by a previous Dr, they looked shocked and disturbed. They told me that no, they wont have to go through that with the therapy they are getting through this facility. Tears came down my eyes and I have made sure to make my simple payments and donate money to their charity. Not only do they get therapy but I get support and help with a nutritionist and so much more. If i want to talk to a Dr I dont have to wait, I can talk to them in the hallway when I see them, along with the therapists. If my kids get sick, I can take them to that facility and they will see them right away. There is no wait, not even for the therapy appointments. As soon as your appointment is to begin, they are taking you in.The biggest issue I have is their insurance. My twins are in need of walkers. They are mirror identical twins with enough medical paperwork to prove they need help walking. Its tiring getting paperwork from their insurance wondering why they end up in the hospital so often due to injuries from falling. Its all there, proof as to why they fall and yet one twin recently got a walker and the other twin has been denied 3 times. They have the exact same disability yet the insurance feels some how the Dr's who have requested this and therapist who have sent them info over and over, must be making it up, or for whatever reason. Both of their paper work was sent with the exact same info because they are Identical to a T. Makes no sense that one is approved yet the other is not, and the one unapproved needs it more. Just got to love the insurance here.I also had a friend whose parent were divorced. Her mom remarried and moved to the states, her father stayed in England. Years later she gets pregnant, and her father tells her to leave the US and go live with him. Because they provide better care. Sure enough she did and has not come back, not even to see her mother. She has remarried and had 3 more kids, and is living a happier life than most of my friends here.When I needed my wisdom teeth taken out at the age of 18, the insurance informed my mother she would have to pay a ridiculous amount. So instead of paying that much she bought plane ticket to go visit family in South America. I have 3 cousins who are dentists there and they had a friends who specialized in wisdom teeth. He did everything along with anesthetic, all four teeth for 200. My bottom two were impacted and with all that my mom had informed me that it would of ran over 2,000 in the US. So she decided why not a family vacation and we get to see our family along with site seeing for that much. Over there, the dentist and doctors all work in the hospital. It is not separated like here. An ex of mine had an infection in his gums due to a tooth. He went to a facility here that said they could do nothing if he didn't rid the infection and they could not prescribe that only a Dr could, so we went to the ER because it got so extremely painful for him, and they almost turned us away saying they do nothing with the dental work. When we finally had to repeat he needed antibiotics for the infection they finally gave the ok and gave it. Luckily his insurance covered the visit. But over there if there is an issue that needs both, both would come to you there at the hospitals, unlike here.Reading the bad reviews on this only made me laugh. I have friends who never knew what it was like else where outside of the US, for one they had never even left our city let alone our state we live in. They never had a reason to even research as to how other people live else where and how their healthcare is compared to ours. Too many live inside a box looking out a peep hole, comfortable not wanting to move and if someone dare to challenge they will quickly stomp their feet, shake their fist in the air and yell to get off their lawn...Ignorance is bliss. Don't get me wrong, we have some things that are great here but far more things that are ridiculous and "for the people" is an understatement. The ridiculously rich keep on getting richer and they could care less about the little people who hold them up from under their feet. They know if one Joe dies, some other smuck will take his place. Hopefully one day more will wake up, but i highly doubt that.I honestly would be the first to sign up if there was a program that offered free healthcare if you were willing to pay more taxes. An optional program only for those willing to do it. I know a lot of people who would sign up. Not because they are wackos/communist or whatever titles the ignorant like to give others due to fear. Id be willing to live on ramen noodles or PB&js if that meant I didn't have to pay a dime for medicine, check ups or ER visits. But again thats me

Our health care system is broken, but what should we do? Universal health care is NOT the answer. Living on the Mexican border in an economically-depressed area, I have a unique perspective on this topic. Many of our populace, both American citizens and those living here illegally, use the county (taxpayer-supported) hospital (Thomason) emergency room as a doctor's office. Junior has a cough, or needs his vaccinations, the parents take the child to the emergency room at Thomason. Why? They don't have to pay, whereas they would at a doctor's office, which is where an ailment or need of this type should go. So who ends up paying? The citizens of my county. Women ready to have a baby, or already in labor, cross the southern border and are taken to Thomason. Another "anchor baby", and 30 non-citizen family members flock over, and who gets stuck supporting them, and paying the hospital bill? The taxpaying citizens of my county. We have people crossing over the border to use not only our county hospital, but to drain all manner of resources that they do not pay for. Adding insult to injury is my own government. The drug cartels in Juarez, Mexico have ramped up the violence (Juarez and Sinaloa cartels) over turf; the Mexican police are seriously outmanned and outgunned. Mexican citizens injured in the weekend melees IN MEXICO are IMPORTED to our American hospital. Who pays for their medical care, and their import to our hospital and back to the border? The taxpayers of my county. Even worse, when Mexican police are injured in these drug wars IN MEXICO, my government imports the problem--the injured police officials are brought over here to Thomason, AND the hospital goes into lockdown for over a week at a time. Armed guards (sheriff's department being paid overtime), metal detectors, inconvenience to those legally and legitimately needing the services of the hospital, and fear instilled in everyone. The cartels will stop at nothing to "get their man"; they have stormed hospitals in Juarez to kill the police being treated there, along with innocent bystanders. It will only be a matter of time until this happens here, and it was MY GOVERNMENT who brought it to our doorstep. Who pays for the importation, medical care, release to Mexico, and weeks of 24-hour armed security for these "wanted" individuals who are not only NOT citizens of my country, but were injured NOT in America? The citizens of the county of El Paso, Texas. The El Paso government fights Washington all the time for reimbursement; it may only a matter of time until all the citizens of America will be footing this bill. What we have here in El Paso is universal health care at it's "finest": allowing people to use emergency facilities (when it is not an emergency) as a doctor's office to avoid paying for services, and bringing violence into my country (injured Mexican police officials to be followed by drug dealers out to kill them while in the hospital)--all of which I have NO say in, both in the activities and in paying for it. Taxation without representation to pay for those who not only DON'T pay anything, but don't support it with taxes because they AREN'T CITIZENS. Already this year (and it's only late July 2008) there have been 22 individuals to the tune of over $1,000,000 treated at Thomason due to the drug wars IN MEXICO (El Paso Times, July 25, 2008). The Mexican government said they'd pay; so far we've seen only about $50,000, and nothing in recent memory. (UPDATE: As of today, August 29, 2008, we're up to 30 individuals at a cost to El Paso, Texas taxpayers of $2,000,000).Mexico is draining America in every way it can. Both of our borders and coasts need to be sealed off in the name of national security, those here illegally need to be deported immediately without exception. Once we have only those here who should be here can we start thinking, just thinking, about anything such as universal health care. When we allow other countries to bleed us dry, there will be nothing left; how then can we take care of "our own", our own citizens and our great country? We are allowing others to destroy our country, and our government willingly brings problems in from our "sister city" (Juarez, Mexico). With "relatives" like this, it is time we disowned them for our own good. Seal the borders and coasts; whatever problems another country has are THEIR problems, let them deal with, and pay for, it.Please do not be fooled by "one of the safest cities" designation in regard to El Paso, Texas. It is not. The taxes are high, and going higher all the time; we have to deal with Mexico's problems--both the issues and the financial aspects; and we have to deal with our own government willingly bringing the violence across the border for us not only to deal with, but to pay for. Universal health care when you have a huge number of non-taxpaying citizens (a large number of whom are here illegally), a tremendous number of non-citizens coming over expressly for the "free" (to them) health care, people who clog hospital emergency rooms with non emergencies so they can get out of paying at a doctors office (and thereby tying up the ER and hospital personnel, keeping them from properly and timely addressing true emergencies), and your own government bringing in non-citizen problems that not only cost US money but add inconvenience to and instill fear in our citizens and invite violence to cross the border...no thanks.Until we get a handle on things, both on screening who is "entitled" to the services of OUR country, and on our citizens actions as a whole, things will never get better, only worse. Having a multitude of children when you can't even afford to raise one child is irresponsible. Who ends up paying for that person's CHOICES? Those who demonstrate and exercise responsibility and sound judgement. Who uses the services of entities funded by the taxpayers? Those who pay the least in taxes, if anything at all, whether citizens or not. Come to Thomason and see what I mean. You'll have parents who can afford lots of tattoos, cigarettes, mountains of "bling" (or a few very expensive pieces). Follow them to Wal-Mart. They pay with the Lone Star card (food stamps), then load their bags and bags of chips and cases of soda and beer and cartons of cigarettes in their late-model cars for a trip down the road to the liquor store for the "hard stuff". If they can afford tattoos, cigarettes, jewelry, beer by the case (literally), hard liquor, and a tricked-out late-model car, they can certainly afford health care. They have LOTS of kids because they don't have to "pay for" them, or anything related to their care. These same kids eat free breakfast and lunch in the public schools, and never come with supplies; the parents expect the school to provide EVERYTHING. Usually mother doesn't work, often dad doesn't either; they feel THEIR "needs" (tattoos, cigarettes, fancy tricked-out cars, jewelry, and weekly cases of alcohol) are more important than anything for the children, including decent food, health care, school supplies, and proper clothing for the given weather. They just keep popping out child after child after child. Why not--they don't have to pay for anything. The rest of us do. Universal health care? No. Things are bad enough now, don't make them worse.

Hmm yeah...so this was something...Sorry but I'm pretty speechless, which shows the impact of this film It's kinda old, so not sure 100% of what the health care in America is like nowadays, but I had no idea it was as bad as this ever.Michael really hammers this point home, with people telling their personal stories, looking at the health care of other countries. This film will move you, truly it will...unless you're a psychopath, or an uber capitalist or something. For people who aren't psychopaths it's not possible to watch this and not be impacted. So yeah, an amazing documentary, though be warned this will really bum the hell out of you, it's a really depressing documentary, but definitely one to watch.

Even the poorest person in the UK has a higher life expectancy than the richest in the USA.Says a lot for the NHS no matter how much flack it gets in the press.Micheal Moore is not someone you'd want to chat with around your dinning room table, he's arrogant, annoying, self absorbed and likes tacky gimicks. That said, he's great at asking questions that need to be asked about the disgraceful nature of american politics, healthcare, war, gun culture etc that although they seem obvious to most Europeans unfortunately through american culture and media bias never get asked publically over there.Given the recent struggle Obama went through to get even a tiny version of universal healthcare approved the film highlights all the important aspects of the debate.I was in the US on holiday at the height of the media campaigns by drug companies and insurance companies which lied outright on national television to bias the public against public healthcare and was devastated to see how even intelligent well travelled americans would believe an be mouthpieces for the lies told. This movie did not make many change their minds, just as Bowling for Columbine did not change attitudes to gun ownership in the US. But at least it shows some people over there hold the interests and welfare of everyday americans above big business

Loved this dvd. Michael Moore does it again.This film really opens your eyes to America's healthcare. You realise the system in USA favours the rich and people who can work. The queue's to see a free doctor when they occasionally visit towns are horrendus. All those people cant get treated and cant get their medication. Many cant afford to buy their medication. Its a very sad look at USA.I believe the Americans have opposed a free healthcare system like ours and criticised our NHS. However, if you are rich you can STILL have private insurance if you want it. So it seems selfish that people who can use the hospitals oppose healthcare for people who cant.This film shows a man who had to choose which finger to have sewn back on as he couldnt afford to have both sewn back on!!! Its terrible. People are seen being kicked out of hospitals when the hospital thinks they wont get paid!! Often kicked out still in hospital gowns and ill.I wouldnt want to live in USA after seeing this. They wouldnt cover me anyway as i have one of 500 illnesses they list to deny cover.He comes to UK and looks at our NHS and goes to France to look at theirs too.Brilliant expose.

It is a given fact that the NHS and its European equivalents are a work in progress, but they DO work! Its a moot point that if every single cent of health insurance in the US was paid instead to Medicare, then nobody would be left behind. In fact, if you factor out profit and sky high salaries, exactly how much would it cost every American Citizen for universal free of charge care if paid for out of general taxation? The question never asked I suppose.Although politics are in everything, there should be no politics in healthcare. Some of Michael Moore's films may be considered to be off the wall a bit, I think that this is his best to date. Just how the wealthiest, and acceptably greatest, country on the planet treats, or doesn't, its poorest citizens should be a nationally unacceptable disgrace to its voters. Michael has shown us how it is for Americas poor when they need health care - America you should and could do better, The world expects it of you! Great expose - should be shown on TV.

Again, Micheal Moore makes you think. This time about health care. Seems it only favours the rich and prisoners.........