Controversial Michael Moore Flick 'Sicko' Will Compare U.S. Health Care with Cuba's

Nurses Activism

Published

Health care advances in Cuba

According to the Associated Press as cited in the Post article, "Cuba has made recent advancements in biotechnology and exports its treatments to 40 countries around the world, raking in an estimated $100 million a year. ... In 2004, the U.S. government granted an exception to its economic embargo against Cuba and allowed a California drug company to test three cancer vaccines developed in Havana."

http://alternet.org/envirohealth/50911/?page=1

Specializes in Cardiac Care, ICU.
What's to debate? Facts are facts.

Facts are facts. Opinions are opinions. Insults are insults. They are not the same thing and the third has no place in a civil conversation or discussion.

Just another example of why freedom needs to be teamed with responsibility. Does his film offer any suggestions to "fix" things? Or is it just a cheap shot and then he walks away with the $$ he makes off it. Sad

I haven't seen this movie yet but I definetly will. I enjoyed Farenheit 911, I enjoy MM and his movies are always thought provoking. I captured your quote because it was interesting that Al Gore came out with his environmental impact movie and got reamed for touring the country in a gas guzzler, exploiting the land with his 20 thousand dollar a month electricity bill at his Tennessee home, etc. and you can rest assured he is making a tidy sum for his lectures and tours.

He personally could donate 100% of his fee to Habitat for Humanity, Greenpeace or a gazillion other charitable organizations but he doesn't. I'm also astonished at the information on the movie trailers. It never occurred to me as a nurse to inquire of my patient just how they were planning on paying for that shot of morphine for their pain.

I appreciate that everyone is entitled to be compensated for the work that they do, nurses included. I believe that some Physicians are grossly overpaid for the work that they do. I do see it leveling off a lot. Many of my MD friends are reducing their hours, declining new patients and basically cutting their work load to reduce the cost of staying in business. They would never consider working for the Managed Care network, that would be a sellout. I would venture a guess that most of the "bureaucrats" that decide healthcares fate politically have limited experience at the bedside.

I can't wait to see this movie.

I don't think it is encouraging disagreement to point out name-calling is counter-productive. If you had said GWB has made America lose respect around the world that is an opinion. I may not agree but you are entitled to it and I have no problem w/ you voicing it. Long live the first amendment. But when you call him a stupid idiot you bring it down to a personal level where passions rule and reasoned debate is difficult if even possible.

As far as me being confused, often and thoroughly. Which is why I am asking for information and the opiions of others.

I just returned from a few weeks in Italy and EVERYONE we met, locals and tourists alike all stated they felt GWB was an IDIOT!!!! That would include the Canadians as well..... I didn't really know how to respond so suffice it to say I ended up telling people I was Canadian towards the end of my trip. I was amazed at how the treatment and attitude towards me changed. If I said I was American doors were literally slammed shut in my face. I don't need that legacy.

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
I just returned from a few weeks in Italy and EVERYONE we met, locals and tourists alike all stated they felt GWB was an IDIOT!!!! That would include the Canadians as well..... I didn't really know how to respond so suffice it to say I ended up telling people I was Canadian towards the end of my trip. I was amazed at how the treatment and attitude towards me changed. If I said I was American doors were literally slammed shut in my face. I don't need that legacy.

And this surprised you. Doesnt surpise me in the least. What he and his father have done to this country should be impeachable.

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
I just returned from a few weeks in Italy and EVERYONE we met, locals and tourists alike all stated they felt GWB was an IDIOT!!!! That would include the Canadians as well..... I didn't really know how to respond so suffice it to say I ended up telling people I was Canadian towards the end of my trip. I was amazed at how the treatment and attitude towards me changed. If I said I was American doors were literally slammed shut in my face. I don't need that legacy.

I feel badly that your trip went that way.

That was not my experience at all when I went to Europe earlier this year. We visited 3 countries and were warmly welcomed.

Specializes in ER.
Why should taxpayers pay an insurance company to pay the hospital or primary provider?

Why not just pay the actual provider?

Insurance companies do not provide any healthcare.

i agree with this and it just makes sense. if we have to fund the profits of private companies, this can only be a net loss to health care funds.

ultimatly the whole health care industry needs to be taken out of the market. and i know that the government is rotten but at least we have some say over their functions and that could be written into law. the private sector has no responsibility to anyone and is why we spend the most for the least.

I feel badly that your trip went that way.

That was not my experience at all when I went to Europe earlier this year. We visited 3 countries and were warmly welcomed.

My experience in Vietnam was wonderful - the people loved us and were proud that their President had been to America recently - they boasted that he met with George Bush. They also talked about the Bush Administration putting pressure on the Vietnam government to open up more to capitalism and to stop persecuting Christians.

I was proud to be from America.

steph

Specializes in ER.

i went to spain and france with my wife in june, bracing myself for the barrage of rudeness from people, especially surrounding the war in iraq and george bush. i found none of it at all. in fact i get 100 times more rudeness walking down my block in chicago, and none of it is even political.

i think that a lot of the people in europe are understanding that this war is most unpolular in us history. when i was in germany five years ago everyone assumed that george bush was a popular dude. this year it was the exact opposite.

again, has anyone seen the movie??? i will not criticize until i have.....

I havent seen the movie and do not know that I need to. I believe that it is important to understand the principle behind it though. I admitt I am no expert on Health Care but have studied for many years regarding the principles of freedom and the science of good government, something Moore is ignorant about. He has brought to the masses attention to some obvious truths but has no principle based compass for any real solutions.

I also find it sad that we have 1 single presidential candidate that has done his Constitutional Homework and is a Doctor as well yet there has been no questioning or legitimate attention payed to him.

Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
He has brought to the masses attention to some obvious truths but has no principle based compass for any real solutions.

Sure he does- it's called socialized medicine, something the rest of the industrialized world has. It's not a new concept. Say what you will about Moore, but he has always been a champion for the working class. His methods are unorthodox, but at least he speaks out. My big question is: if he had never made Fahrenheit 911, would some of you be more willing to see Sicko?

Sure he does- it's called socialized medicine, something the rest of the industrialized world has. It's not a new concept. Say what you will about Moore, but he has always been a champion for the working class. His methods are unorthodox, but at least he speaks out. My big question is: if he had never made Fahrenheit 911, would some of you be more willing to see Sicko?

I believe socialized medicine should be another discussion. Is there such a thread?

What convinces you that Moore is a champion for the working class?

Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
I believe socialized medicine should be another discussion. Is there such a thread?

What convinces you that Moore is a champion for the working class?

Socialized medicine, universal health care, single payer health care- which title would you want to use? It is what is proposed and highlighted in the movie, and is part of this discussion. I have been part of the Scrubs for Sicko campaign from the onset, in addition to other groups who are for a single payer health care system. Have you read the entire thread? You obviously haven't seen the movie, so how can you say socialized medicine should be another discussion? Do you work in the health care field?

And again, if Moore had never made F911, would you be more willing to see Sicko?

As far as Moore being a champion for the working class, there's Roger & Me, The Awful Truth, etc. If you haven't seen any of Moore's work, then what are you basing your opinions of him on?

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