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

[HM2VikingRN]

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

[leosrain, BSN, RN]

Watch "Sicko." Then you may understand how important its message is. There is a reason nursing organizations are supporting it!

Sean

[Jolie, BSN]

I received a flyer in the mail today from the California Nurses/National Nurses Organizing Committee promoting SiCKO by Michael Moore.

It says "While they're laughing 'til it hurts, you can be there to help. Join Registered Nurses across the U.S. as we host the opening of Michael Moore's new film, SiCKO." They are inviting us to volunteer across the country to get the work out about "Guaranteed Healthcare in America".

I do think changes should be made in the way we insure our citizens, but I do not want to do it by supporting Michael Moore's propaganda.

This mailer was expensive to send out to the masses...this is what our nursing/professional associations spend our money on? I join and pay dues for the improvement of our profession, not for the support of yet another Hollywood-type, would-be political activist!

What are these associations for? What do you think about the mass-mailer?

This is one of the reasons why I cancelled my membership in ANA/INA 20 years ago, and have never regretted doing so. Not much seems to have changed since then. They seemed far more interested in spending my money to support POLITICAL rather than professional causes, many of which I don't believe in or agree with. I now focus my membership time and dues on specialty nursing organizations that are much more involved with research, practice guidelines, and education.

I got the mass mailer as well, and tossed it in the trash.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I wrote about getting the CNA mailer in the other thread about this movie. I tossed mine in the trash too. I'm not a member of CNA and I didn't like the way the mailer made it seem that every single nurse agrees with MM and his tactics.

Not gonna give him a dime of my money.

steph

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

The fact that nursing unions are supporting a MM movie makes me not want to support Unions.

I despise the thought of the general public associating us with MM! What an absolute disgrace!

[Mentuhotep I]

I read some of these posts and I just have to laugh. Instead of so-called professionals watching a documentary that will probably give them some insite into the mess thats called the health care crisis, these "professionals" would rather rant and rave about how they loathe Michael Moore. Micheal Moore directed a documentary (Fahrenheit 9/11) that did an excellent job in showing some of the HUGE contradictions between what politicians say and what they actually do, it also allowed G.W. Bush to show how unqualified he is to hold the office of president. So what? It happened get over it and take the time to look at the world from a perspective that may challenge you to actually THINK.

[jadedgreeneyes]

Anyone actually seen this movie and listened to some of the things MM has to say??? His only mission is to open peoples eyes to some of the things going on that most of us don't know. Sicko was a great movie and points out so many of the issues we Americans have with healthcare that other Countries don't. MM is not out to get everyone to agree with him..he is a really good man. He actually anyonomously donated money to one of his biggest enemies so that that mans wife could have surgery. Watch the movie...you might change your mind about him!

[biker nurse]

M.M. is NOT one of my favorite people either. but i watched the movie and it was a real eye opener. DO NOT JUDGE until you see this movie. 9/11 workers were sick and they could not get healthcare. MM brought them to CUBA and they got all the tests and treatment for FREE. SAD! how we treat our citizens. I'm also surprised how nursing is a forever changing field, and how you all wine about something you haven't seen yet. An open mind IS an assett!!

[SueB1967]

Sorry-mine went in the trash too! There are many things wrong with our system but MM is not an advocate for nursing. He's out to make a buck but will not get one cent from me! Several years ago when Bill first ran for president he vowed to put his wife in charge of developing a universal health plan for all Americans (which he did-but she was unable to do). A fellow worker at that time was thrilled that when she got done everyone would have health care. I pointed out to her that one of our collegues (with 2 small children) had just cancelled her health insurance with our company because it was too expensive. However, that employee smoked and played bingo several nights out of the week. Did not make sense to me. I believe that everyone should have access to basic health care but do not necessarily believe that the government is obliged to provide it. We should always make provision for the poor and sick among us but not have to subsidize irresponsible choices.

[reesern63, RN]

The fact that nursing unions are supporting a MM movie makes me not want to support Unions.

I despise the thought of the general public associating us with MM! What an absolute disgrace!

Speak for yourself. I am not ashamed at all.

[SharonH, RN]

How timely. A good friend of mine just called and we are signing up to distribute flyers about the healthcare crisis in this country at the local premiere of SICKO. I can't wait! This is a great opportunity to advocate and inform the nation, I challenge all nurses to put aside knee-jerk politics, keep an open mind and consider what is in the best interests not only of themselves and their loved ones but the very patients that we are paid to advocate for.

I'll be there with bells on and a huge RN patch on my shirt. I may even pull my scrubs out.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

Speak for yourself. I am not ashamed at all.

Uhh, I thought I was speaking for myself, when I logged in as myself, and posted my thoughts as myself...

What did you miss???

[lsyorke, RN]

Amazing ,the rush to judgement, when the film isn't even out yet. I, for one, will be seeing this movie. From all accounts it highlights what we as nurses see everyday. Political....yup, very political...just like healthcare has become.