SICKO--Michael Moore's new movie (insurance, how much, employment)

[loves2read]

would love to know what Canadians think of Michael Moore's new movie about health care in US---part of it is filmed in Canada where an American woman has gone across the bridge from Detroit into Canada and trys to be seen at Canadian clinic--she is non-resident and claims her friend/boyfriend is common-law spouse....there are other Canadians who give their input about Canadian health care vs American health care....

would love to know what he left out--what % of a Canadian's earned income taxes go toward the health care system---are there private drs and hospitals in Canada for people who don't want to use govt health plan?
what are the negatives that Moore failed to mention (because there always are some things that he fails to disclose when he makes his movies---and I am a fan of his, go to them all, and belive that most of what he says is true)--I just know that propaganda is not even-handed....

[devil]

I thought his movie was good, better than his others for sure. Heck even I want to move to France now, they treat their taxpayers good. The thing about Michael Moore is that even thougth it's propaganda, he's just saying your system is flawed for poor and middle class people and is just giving good comparisons to make a better system for yourselves because happy people are move productive.

Our system in Canada is good because in emergencies we get the help we need, but we wait more for non emergencies. For example my arm dislocated at work. I went to a doctor and was given a referral for a specialist whom put in physiotherapy for a few months. The specialist and physiotherapists told me that next time it goes out, I will need a MRI and probably surgery to fix it. Surly enough it dislocatied again a year later, so I get put on WCB (workers compensations board) and get sent back to the specialist whom sends me for an MRI to confirm. When I first go to set up my MRI they told me the wait list was nine months, then they read my letter from WCB and make it for two weeks. I wait for the MRI results and then see my specialist doctor again, so of course he tells me I need surgery and give me a referral letter to see a surgeon. So I wait two or three weeks, see the surgeon and get my arm fixed.

Now this whole procedure of just getting the MRI and seeing the surgeon took 4 1/2 months and thats with me being on WCB (good government insurance), without that it probably would have taken up to a couple years. I know someone whom has a bad knee but can't afford to get it fixed because employment insurance doesn't pay enough. Our system has its flaws, it can be slow for non-emergencies procedures but I'm sure money can speed things up. But if I had a medical emergency, I would be take care of, same as anybody in Canada. If you asked me If I would ever privatize our system, the answer would be heck no. In Canada a hospital is meant to help people, its seems in the US a hospital is meant to make money. On the other hand, how long would it have take the average American with insurance to get that surgery?

[loves2read]

probably not that long--but the issue is with how much other people w/o insurance have to pay and put up with--there are county hospitals in each county of a state (I believe) and people there are supposed to be treated regardless of insurance coverage and pay according to their income/ability...but it is very difficult to get consistent care and have a "regular" dr when all yu do is go for emergency room care--which is what most people w/o ins are forced to do---no preventative treatement or treatment for long-term, debilitating disease like diabetes...

[Cornerguy1]

The original post of this thread asks Canadians for their opinion of Moore's movie. It also asks for information with regard to the Canadian health care system.

Please stay on topic.

Discussions about the merits and drawbacks of US-based Medicaid are welcome on City Data, but need to be conducted in a more approprpiate forum such as Health or Politics and Other Controversial Topics.

Thanks for your cooperation.

[twiggy]

Originally Posted by Cornerguy1

The original post of this thread asks Canadians for their opinion of Moore's movie. It also asks for information with regard to the Canadian health care system.

Please stay on topic.

Discussions about the merits and drawbacks of US-based Medicaid are welcome on City Data, but need to be conducted in a more approprpiate forum such as Health or Politics and Other Controversial Topics.

Thanks for your cooperation.

gotcha, sorry, heated moment.

I love the movie, it has opened eyes and brought attention to a much needed subject for America. I long for the Canadian health care system, flaws and all!

[albianstar]

It scared the cr@p out of me.
I value our health care system but many conservaties are trying to break it down
I would NEVER want our country to be in that position
Health care is a right not a business

[freespiritbty]

Originally Posted by albianstar

It scared the cr@p out of me.
I value our health care system but many conservaties are trying to break it down
I would NEVER want our country to be in that position
Health care is a right not a business

Healthcare is a RIGHT not A BUSINESS!! i saw Sicko 2x's and I'm not a pro Moore fan, but I absolutely agree with the issues he's exposed in this movie. As an American, I've worked in the insurance industry and he was on point with how companies policies. Case in point I recently found out that my insurance company (former) wants to tell members which medications to take. That made me sick to my stomach.

And yes, I want to move to France too. I'm sick and tired for making little while the rich is richer and being protected by the American government.