alarming statistics
america 37 on the health care scale
sicko
statistics pertaining to inadequate care
viewpoints on socialized health care versus privat
Adding to Universal Health Care Topic See the Movie SICKO and lets talk again
@Perspectives (7131)
Canada
July 7, 2007 5:09pm CST
Hi everyone---I'm back for another round on the health care topic.
I just saw the movie Sicko and we have reason to be concerned for our fellow Americans and making sure Canadians do not lose their exising universal health care.
This movie is too important not to watch and discuss. There is case after case of people who either have no health insurance...and the problems that come up for those who do.
Micheal Moore cites case after case about how existing health insurance are constantly looking for ways to deny claims. According to those in the insurance industry doctors who deny medical proceedures actually get a raise because they added to pockets of the insurance compaies.
Moore shows how admit that denials keep profits high and the decisions makers little conscience about the devestating effects that ensure when a person is denied what they need. It is all about the money...not care for the patient.
Adjustors continually look for pre-exisiting conditions so they can refuse the claim and maximize profits. Moore reports that a reported 18,000 people die every years because their medical needs were denied. Another statisic revealled there are over thirty-five million people without any form of health care coverage.
Another alarming thing is that there are Boards of Trustees at hospital that make the final decision about who receives care and how much. A Medical Director presented her opinion about 'managed care.'These directors claim not to deny the patient...only the care? Hello...say again...that hurts my head. Did she actually say Directors believe that with a straight face. Yes one person stated the prevailing viewpoint and that is frightening!
America is rated at 37 on the health care scale..one up from Slovenia. Evidently there are now more lobbyists than members of Congress. Now there are also drug companies and health insurance industries 'buy' their way so they could manipulate government in their favor. Bills have been passed to ensure that the elderly will pay more for their perspecriptions than they did before...and Bush calls this progress. My, my, my seems like health care is more about money care in the eyes of the American politcal arena.
Moore presents the idea of socialized health care in the same playing field as other services the government provides. He points out that there are a variety of existing socialized systems that are government in America...fire, and police, libaries etc are efficiently run. Moore thinks the government could do the same for health care if they choose to.
I could go on...but for all those concerned about health care in any country I would strongly suggest that you watch SICKO and lets talk some more!
6 people like this
7 responses
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
8 Jul 07
I haven't seen the movie, but your topic caught my eye. As someone who has always had chronic health conditions, I've spent my whole life dealing with health care situations! I envy some of my friends in other countries who talk about how they have universal health care and can always get treatment, as I watch my own health care debt stack up and have to scrape together money to make a payment on it each time I need to schedule appointments!
Not only that, but it seems every time something is submitted to my insurance, I have to call and fight with them to get it covered! Just today I opened a bill for an ambulence ride my son had to take, and it said on it "insurance declined to pay" so I have to call on Monday and try to deal with that! It's frustrating how even things that they are eventually going to cover they decline right away, as if seeing if you will pay it! And this is insurance that I pay good money for, out of my already paltry paycheck!
I'll have to see the movie and see how what is said stacks up to my own experiences and opinions.
4 people like this
@w1z111 (985)
• United States
13 Jul 07
Wishing you well in your struggles with the insurance company. They are not very kind-hearted when they're asked to provide the coverage their plans and programs say they WILL cover. And, as has already been said, much of the time they end up covering things anyway...but not until they've put you through the wringer.
In my book, that whole scenario constitutes "consumer fraud". What I mean is this: The insurance companies will rake you or me over the coals and even prosecute if we're found to be "defrauding" them in any way, right? It's all in the fine print on the contracts we signed...on one of the 11 pages...somewhere! It tells us that we can be practicing 'insurance fraud' if we do this or that.
Well...here's my angle on the way THEY "defraud" consumers:
Somewhere in the coverage language, they explain pretty explicitly what things they WILL cover and what things they WILL NOT cover. They're really quite careful not to leave too much "gray area"...for their protection, of course. Also, somewhere in the contract there is probably language that says something like "ambulance transportation will only be covered if true emergency existed". This means they can contest each case...and it's not just on ambulance rides. They have language to give them similar latitude on many coverage categories, and it saves them money because many people just "suck it up" instead of going through all the hassle of fighting with them.
To me, these practices constitute "consumer fraud", because they know many people won't contest them, even though many rightfully could. But why should they HAVE TO?
Good luck, good health to you!
4 people like this
@egfitz62150 (645)
• United States
9 Jul 07
I haven't seen it yet, but I've seen Moore on various talk shows, seen trailers and read many reviews. I'm looking forward to seeing it.
Did you see Bush saying that we have "The best private health care system in the world."????? How can he say this stuff with a straight face?????? AAAAArrrrrrrgh!!! We've GOT to end private control of our health care system ASAP! That the HMOs are required BY LAW to make a profit at the expense of members' health is absolutely unacceptable! I live in Massachusetts where they've just made health insurance mandatory for everyone statewide. Granted they give SOME help to poverty line folks (I'd bet that if asked they'd say they are struggling to pay even a small fee), but it just seems like an HMO racket to require everyone to give them profits. It feels like a monopoly (although I know it isn't), but it especially feels unconstitutional somehow. If the government is going to require this participation, then it should be the one providing the health care and paying for it with our tax money.
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
13 Jul 07
Your AAAArrrrrrgh around the many claims of the Bush Adminstration is something that pushes my buttons...and I am a Canadian. Their audacity is astounding...but what is even more mind boggling is how few American citizen actually do the AAArrrrgh!! If I lived in your country I'd probably leading a charge on the Whitehouse and with my loud-mouthed opinions probably end up in jail.
Anyway, whether viewers agree with Moore's position or not...it is sure getting people talking. Hopefully with talk...then some action on the voter's behalf you will eventually your citizens will have a chance an universal health care. Our taxes pay for ours....and we're not complaining.
3 people like this
@claudia413 (4280)
• United States
19 Aug 07
Amen to everything you've said throughout this post. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I will definitely come back when I am able to see it. I'm going through some health issues myself right now and even posted a discussion about it. It scares me to think how we could be wiped out by one catastrophic medical problem after working so hard for so many years.
1 person likes this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
8 Jul 07
The movies was released within the last two weeks and probably won't be available to rent on DVD for awhile. It will play in the movie theatres until it runs its course and then be released for DVD distribution.
We can chat about it after you see it...even if it is a few months from now...I'm sure we'll both be here...God willing.
Take care Lakota...keep those Angel Wings around you!
2 people like this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
8 Jul 07
I am going to be signing off shortly. Hugs and bright blessings to you as we say goodnight and God bless.
2 people like this
@w1z111 (985)
• United States
11 Jul 07
Unfortunately, it's always "all about the money". Too often we discover...indeed, "uncover" in many cases (funny that they don't publicize much about how the money influences policy until some 'corruption' is exposed!) that big business, with all its lobbying power and big money actually pull most of the strings in our government (and, likely in most similarly structured governments).
I have not seen "Sicko", but from what I've heard and read about it, it attempts to 'expose' on film what many others have been talking about for quite some time.
There are growing undertones and grass-roots movements, even beyond "Sicko", which will ultimately reveal "the Truth" of how government(s) operate; how money fuels the massive machine we rely upon to help us maintain our independence, freedom, peace and prosperity.
For government(s) to pay more attention to the population at large instead of big money sources would slow the machine down to a crawl...after all, "what's in it for them", if the money is taken away?
I hope it's clear from my 'diatribe' that I am in no way favoring big money's influence or impact on our leaders and government policies, legislation, etc. Rather, I am attempting to help provide a little more understanding and broader view of what is truly an important issue facing all of us today.
If you're interested, I've also created a blog about a novel, even bold healthcare funding proposal that I believe would bring positive changes on a number of fronts...if it could be implemented. It will sound like "pie-in-the-sky", but I believe it represents what is "fair and equitable for all", regarding healthcare funding. It is based on the simple, logical principles of 'sharing the burden' and 'taking responsibility' for polluting and poisoning our environment, our foods, our household and cosmetic products and myriad other 'unhealthful exposures' we're subjected to every day (thus, ultimately contributing to the onset of sickness and disease).
The basic "slogan" is:
"If you're going to help make me sick, you'd better be ready to help make me well, too!"
Please visit http://www.w1z11dom.blogspot.com/
@w1z111 (985)
• United States
13 Jul 07
You're quite welcome! The more we spread the word, the stronger we become, and the sooner we'll see positive, equitable change. I invite you to copy/paste the content in my blog and send it to your elected officials. They may laugh; they may tell you you're dreaming; but another "bug in the ear" is better than nothing! If enough people would make enough noise, the people could win back control...where it belongs.
Thanks for the 'best response', too...I appreciate it.
3 people like this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
13 Jul 07
You are welcome for the best response..it was well deserved. When things settle down a little I will be checking your site out and send you and e-mail or chat here or on your site. To do that though one of us should do the friends request. I will do that before signing off.
I am a firm believer that one voice can begin to unite others...and within the momentum amazing changes can occur. I appreciate what you say...and are doing to walk your talk. I wish you every success in what may seem like daunting obstacles at times. That is why Mylot and other on-line chat sites are such a great way of letting each other know who else is out there with similar concerns.
I had no idea when I signed on what amazing people there are working hard for the greater good. Sometimes we all become insulated in our comfy zones...and this site is a wonderful reminder that there are many like minded others that I haven't met yet.
The support and encouragement on the various topics is very uplifting. Reminds me that we can make changes happen...through our passion and purpose.
So I encourage you to keep up the good work...and continue to 'get people talking.' Hopefully the whispers into the year will evolve into a full blown roar that will bring about the necessary changes.
3 people like this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
12 Jul 07
Well, what a powerful response..and it is not diabribe in my view. Your observations about the number of people discussing about the problems with health care at the grass-roots level. Maybe that is what it will take to bring about the changes needed to provide care for all of our planetary citizens.
I will definitely check out your blogspot and get back to. I like your slogen...it sounds very interesting. Good for you that you are taking a proactive approach to this increasing social problem.
Every day that I log on I am amazed by the number of fascinating, purposeful people that I am connecting with. It is good to know you are out there...and so willing to beat the drum and awaken others to some possible solutions.
I look forward to reading what you have written...and we will chat again.
Thanks for visiting my site and inviting me to participate in what you are doing.
2 people like this
@Juanamomof5 (429)
• United States
7 Jul 07
I like the way Micheal Moore talks and makes documentaries about problems that concern most of us. I havn't heard of Sicko could you please tell me where it is I can see it. I would greatly appreciate it.
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
7 Jul 07
Before answering your question I checked where you live. I know that SICKO was released for general distribution in the last couple of weeks.
If you check your local movie listings in your home town hopefully it will show up soon. If it doesn't maybe you could contact them and find out if and when they plan to show it.
Sometimes smaller communities take longer to receive distribution rights to new movies.
I hope you find it...it is well worth watching!
2 people like this
@youdontsay (3497)
• United States
29 Jul 07
Here in Central Ohio it was showing at the smaller theaters that show foreign films and art films rather than at the big franchised movie houses.
1 person likes this
@remo999 (49)
• Canada
28 Sep 07
I saw the movie...and it shows how lacking the American system in comparison to other countries. Their priorities are messed up...but that is not a big news flash. Their foreign policy has led to a lot more problems than not looking after their own citizens.
If they cannot live with the charity begins at home idea...well that speaks for itself!
