We have the best healthcare system in France. We can choose our doctors, we don't have to wait, home visits are still made, when you have sugery, they don't throw you out after 2 days, prices on mecications are reasonable and you will never loose your home for not paying medical bills. And by the way, we have great scientists and doctors! The health care system in this country stinks!!

A sweaty sack of suet that could not tell the truth if his life depended on it yet the hysterical liberals can't get enough of Michael Moore. Wonder why that is? Hmmmmmmmm.  Could be they all love being in lala land?

Isn't Rudy's health care plan to send fire fighters and rescue workers into a toxic pit and let them contract cancer ? That lowers health care costs for NYC when these first responders die prematurely.

What do the NY fire fighters think about Rudy, anyway ??

We have the best healthcare system in France. We can choose our doctors, we don't have to wait, home visits are still made, when you have sugery, they don't throw you out after 2 days, prices on mecications are reasonable and you will never loose your home for not paying medical bills. And by the way, we have great scientists and doctors! The health care system in this country stinks!!

I do not understand why people and particularily  politicians feel that it is correct thing to critisize Michael Moore for bringing this huge problem to the attention of the american people. Should we not be concerned with what is best for everyone ? The system in Canada, France and England is not perfect by any means, but we can learn from everyone what will work and what will not. I have seen figures that the free health care system would cost $350 billion (probably more), but if we took away the political payoffs to a lot of members of congress and leaders of the country, reduced the excess profits on most medications, and even if we had to implement a 1-2% increase in taxes this would in my belief take care of itself. Then we can also start with making corporations responsible in bringing some of the jobs back to the country and so on.... Unfortunately presently it would appear that their own pockets are more important than the citizen's well being.Is it right that some CEO should be making $20-50 million a year ?
Thank you Michael for making this film, it sure has opened the eyes of a lot of people, some are still oblivious to what goes on around them until they will loose their jobs, insurance coverage and their
life.
By the way I happen to be a Canadian who recently underwent a bypass surgery, non emergency in 14 days from my first doctors visit and it cost me nothing. My concern is with the human race and what we are doing to each other - and the lies and incorrect statements from politicians on both sides of the border.
How much is the Iraq war costing - I heard $12 billion a month, thats 144 billion a year, plus the health care costs of all the wounded and suffering of widows and families, another source towards health care
Cheer up and let's see how the awful system can be fixed the best way

"Many a truth is told in...hyped up documentaries!"

Ok, to those on the right - relax, go see the movie on a Wednesday at noon when no one is watching and you don't have to worry about being seen walking into a Michael Moore film!  
The bottom line is this - There is so much truth to his movie regarding our healthcare industry, as an  American citizens, please don't expect your heroes on the right to shine a light on these issues.  IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN!  I know you don't like Michael, but having worked as a claims examiner for Blue Cross, i.e. a person who determines whether a claim is payable or not, I can tell you there is much truth to people not getting the care they truly need because the insurance company doesn't want to shell out the money to pay for care, operations and medication.  Even though you pay a ridiculous premium every month, you can't get the real help you need because they refuse to HELP you.  
What happened to "brotherly love?"  I thought that was at the heart and soul of our country.  And if you are truly a Christian living in this country you KNOW the golden rule, "love thy neighbor as thyself."  When someone is hurt or sick, you help them.  We have a system set up that will bankrupt a sick person, refuse to offer service and put them out on the street.  
Michael Moore's film sheds light on a broken system and is basically saying, "Hey America, wake up and ask yourselves, who are we?????????"

As for my job - don't work there anymore and would never do it again.

This post is starting to get off topic for a bit..but the health care system does need to be seriously looked at. When the first question a doctor's office asks...do you have insurance, who is your insurance carrier...there is a problem. I'm fine..I'm covered under Blue Cross. But imagine not being able to get decent immediate treatment and having to go to the 2nd rate public health centers with long lines. My wife's doctor had quit accepting Medicaid patients. It's a real issue.

We are the richest country on earth. We should have the BEST health care system. We rank 2 places above Cuba. A poor third world country. This is a national disgrace. Our health care system is a broken. No American should become bankrupt because of medical bills.

Jacko - When will you see through your veil of hypocrisy that the idiot you voted for has been lying since he took office! So quick to call everyone a liar, except Bush. You create your own reality, talk about lala land! Again, someone please defend this lying administration without attacking the Democrats.

Oh wrong yee liberal dumas!

F Y Fatty

Yeah, well...all I can say is that everyday I live in fear of losing my medical insurance.  I am in my early 30's and the medication that I must take for the rest of my life would not be affordable without insurance...AT ALL.  No medication, I die - it's that simple. Oh yeah, and 11 days in the hospital would have cost me $38,000 dollars had I not been insured - can you say insane? Take that to your red politicos and lobbyists.  I'd love to hear their replies.  The U.S. is indeed a great nation, but obviously not great enough.

Oh my goodness--just reading all of this MM junk is sickening!  First of all 1) he is a misguided person with no morals. 2)As for the Clintons...duh?? Morals? they have none--3) this Obama person...CHECK his background people--SCARY--if your READ YOUR BIBLE you would pick up on this.  4) Edwards...a little man. .
I am getting off of the subject at hand I realize, but folks...be leary of these "people"...they fill your minds with craziness--tell you what you WANT to hear....Micheal Moore is one of these & is just a pathetic man who keeps yapping because the media listens and prints his crap.....so sad.  No wonder the world is in the horrible shape its in.

Anyone with a brain knows that Moore more is doing what every US citizen has a constitutionally given responsibility to do, hold those in power responsible, whether it be the government or corporate America. The problem that Moore address are the Americans who do take responsibility for themselves and their children but still loose because the system is designed to deprive them of what they're paying for.

It's funny reading about how our country has gone to hell over the past 8 years: Iraq, lousy health care, out-of-control immigration, loss of manufacturing jobs in USA, declining world image.. as Bruce states. Well let's visit those issues briefly:

Iraq - clearly a Clinton legacy - gutless to the end, left to someone else to deal with - well he did bomb that asprin factory...

Lousy healthcare - first, we have a satisfaction rate in this country in the 80% range, so what exactly is lousy? Does the issue need to be addressed? Certainly. Out of control costs, access, chronic illness - all of these issues have been on the table for a couple of decades - clearly not a Rep / Demo issue, it is an issue that no one has adequately addressed.

Manufacturing jobs have been racing out of this country for decades - thank the unions and a lax import policy.

Declining world image - who gives a crap what the "world" thinks of us. I say let's stop sending the billions in aid all over the world to all of these folks who don't like us anymore, pay off our debt, and lower our taxes so all of us can afford things like healthcare.

Michael Moore? He seems like a bright guy, but he comes off as acidic, mean, angry... you need a better messenger

Thank God for Mr Moore. I wish some of our Democratic leaders would show the same moxie that Michael showed in his interview with Wolf Blitzer. It is time for progressives to stop acting as punching bags for the likes of Russert, Matthews, and the rest of the "liberal" media.

When people understand PIG business and corporations make their excessive profits off of keeping the average person down and exploiting what little they have, there will be action in the streets.   That may be the ONLY way politicians will finally take care of the average person in this country.  Michael Moore is one of the FEW individuals doing positive work for this country!  Thank you, Mike, for the work you do.

So far to the right.  Thank you.You  make me laugh. You have set the bar for ignorance. I have come to the sad realization that this " cone of ignorance" that you and most Republicanlive in  starts at the top, festers within  a group of corrupt, both morally and legally advisors to our sad embarrasment of a president and then seems to filter on down to small, narrow minded 3rd grade droupouts that all they can do is blame the prior admisistration for the state of affairs that we now experience. That is a sad and weak way to look at the world.  Michael Moore is not the problem. The problem is an administration that is so far removed from it's people. If you can claim to be a true american then how can  you and other right wingerthinkers justify an elected offical-the predident of the USA ) Illegally elected by the way. to stomp on the constitution of our great country day in and day out
and still think the way you do? With Dubya in the Whitehouse and his gang of four constantly pulling his strings and putting the word in his mouth you will get your wish. For the good of the people, by the people& of the people will never come to the light od day. until 1-1-09 Enjoy it while you can,
associates of this sad

Whether you love him or hate him, he is right atleast 51% of the time. That makes his work an important part of our growth as a country. Few others have the courage to stand up to the nations biggest problems. Bloggers can b*tch and moan all day, but the facts stand. Capitalism has its problems. Dems in this nation outnumber Repubs by about 4 to 1. But still only 54M out of 300M vote in the general election. Why? Repubs use massive amounts of money to sway the scales. They are not all evil, but right now the extremists are destroying everything our fathers died for.

Interestingly, there is an intriguing correllation between Americans cynicism of the American political system and the way the rest of the world view Americans. The same people who hate America actually hate warmongers like Bush and the general Americans hate him equally. We are just so wrapped up in our jobs and taking the kids to soccer that we cant be passionate about what is really happening. Seven years since Dubya took office we are all still divided. Neither side (left or right) is right. Real leadership and accountability is needed.

deedee talks about the healthcare in France.  Exactly what is the amount the government takes out of your earnings to pay for the healthcare system?  Do you still have to pay for certain things out of your remaining money?

michael moore is so rich he doesnt even use the healthcare system. the system is broken due to poor people, not fat people, or disabled people, or immigrants! its poor people of which some are fat some are disabled and some are immigrants. rich people pay for their treatment. for anybody to imply that the health care system is messed up due to people with health care issues then they obviously are retarded and need to get some mental health care!

I have seen the movie. Its mainly for people WITH  health insurance. The  drug compainies and the insurance companies are TERRIFIED Americans will get a taste of what France, Canada and Cuba offer all their people. We take free schools, police,fire, but we should not want free health care?? Come on, The Republicans and some Democrats are bought and paid for with drug,insurance and oil money. The GOP is going to spend tons of money making sure we dont ever get learn of Moores hope for America, so just get ready for them to take Moore down the dirty road they paved with your tax  $$$$  !!

Rich old white guys that never have to worry about ever being denied medical attention complaining about Moore outing bad healthcare in this country.  So much for compassionate Christians.  Compassionate if your are white.

funny how all the rich bastards in this country hate michael moore....i wonder why that is....hmmmmmm?

Gee Sorry there liberals; I got M.M. mixed up with Bill Clinton during the Vietnam War! So many Big Macs and well! They're twins!!!

   If pharmaceuticals, insurance companies and the AMA hadn't spent millions of dollars bringing down Hillery Clinton's health care plan, maybe our health care system wouldn't be in the mess it is in today.

The movie makes one thing clear; the current heath care system is designed to make corporations more money and give less care. It's an indisputable fact as stated in Richard Nixion's and John Ehrlichman's  own words. How can anyone think that such a system is remotely moral?

Sally Seal is a putz

I've gotten care in "socialist" Ireland.  The care was as good as it is in this country, faster, and cheaper AT FULL PRICE.  I would trade health care systems with Canada in a second (and while we are at it, can Canada please take Guliani, Thompson, and Huckabee too?  Thanks!).

I loved MM's film, Sicko.  I think everyone should see it (esp. before they comment on it), just to realize that we care more about "capitalism" than we do about people.  It really reinforced what I already know - with a healthcare mgmt degree, my career started with Healthsouth (whose CEO, Richard Scrushy) is now behind bars. Ironic, no, reality.  I'm sick of conservatives - get real, stop listening to gov't lies (like any of us know the entire truth anyway) & realize that costs are insane & the reality is change is needed.  I'm glad MM's film is sparking debate!!

Hey, so far to the right... Other than supidity, hate and Baaaaing for dates, what do you do for fun? PS. Ted would skin and eat you for lunch you mindless grub

So far to the right, lying again.  Michael Moore was born in Flint Michigan which makes him a patriotic American, trying hard to tell the truth despite the Republican Noise machine and corporate media.

All I see is two basic philosophies to medical systems.  One inclusive system and one exclusive system.  Ultimately, the exclusive system puts a $$ value on life, the inclusive system doesn't. WWJD?

Sally Seal, one more misguided uneducated Moore basher, who can't even check her grammer before she clicks the submit button.

My argument was just as baseless as yours but, at least I smart enough to check my spelling and my grammer before I hit the submit button.

Also, Clinton has been out of office for six plus years, get over it or join so far to the right and baaaa for dates.

Any Congressman or Senator that doesn't think their voters should have guaranteed healthcare without fear of going bankrupt should give up their Government Healthcare system that they receive once they get in office.  

Do you not GET IT, Americans, (sheep). The corrupt Amereican "political system" of Poli-ticians (blood-suckers) and their corrupt greedy, immoral and business proteges; without concience keep you (sheep) so busy with their rhetoric (until they're busted AND PARDONED)for their own illegal activity WHILE THEY KEEP US POORER AND without any way to communicate our disgust, disdain and disapproval of their actions. Think about it...you're flooded with "commentary", (most is lies) AND YOU HAVE NO WAY TO VOICE YOUR OPINION OR TO BEGIN A LEGAL ACTION TO KICK THEIR A_ _ _ _ OUT AND PUT THEM IN JAIL commenserate with their crimes against humanity. Think about it, lies, unnecessary military deaths of our sons and daughters, illegal wiretapping, NSL letters, all that for the almighty dollar...yours...no theirs now. tHINK ABOUT..GET A VOICE TO STOP THIS PIRACY OR THERE WON'T BE AN AMERICA.

Do you not GET IT, Americans, (sheep). The corrupt Amereican "political system" of Poli-ticians (blood-suckers) and their corrupt greedy, immoral and business proteges; without concience keep you (sheep) so busy with their rhetoric (until they're busted AND PARDONED)for their own illegal activity WHILE THEY KEEP US POORER AND without any way to communicate our disgust, disdain and disapproval of their actions. Think about it...you're flooded with "commentary", (most is lies) AND YOU HAVE NO WAY TO VOICE YOUR OPINION OR TO BEGIN A LEGAL ACTION TO KICK THEIR A_ _ _ _ OUT AND PUT THEM IN JAIL commenserate with their crimes against humanity. Think about it, lies, unnecessary military deaths of our sons and daughters, illegal wiretapping, NSL letters, all that for the almighty dollar...yours...no theirs now. tHINK ABOUT..GET A VOICE TO STOP THIS PIRACY OR THERE WON'T BE AN AMERICA.

Do you not GET IT, Americans, (sheep). The corrupt Amereican "political system" of Poli-ticians (blood-suckers) and their corrupt greedy, immoral and business proteges; without concience keep you (sheep) so busy with their rhetoric (until they're busted AND PARDONED)for their own illegal activity WHILE THEY KEEP US POORER AND without any way to communicate our disgust, disdain and disapproval of their actions. Think about it...you're flooded with "commentary", (most is lies) AND YOU HAVE NO WAY TO VOICE YOUR OPINION OR TO BEGIN A LEGAL ACTION TO KICK THEIR A_ _ _ _ OUT AND PUT THEM IN JAIL commenserate with their crimes against humanity. Think about it, lies, unnecessary military deaths of our sons and daughters, illegal wiretapping, NSL letters, all that for the almighty dollar...yours...no theirs now. tHINK ABOUT..GET A VOICE TO STOP THIS PIRACY OR THERE WON'T BE AN AMERICA.

I'm interested in seeing  the message I just put up or will it be censored.  

Your comment or rating has been received. However, due to caching and moderation, it may not be displayed right away.

This, sadly, is mostly about the culture of selfishness that exists in this country. The whole "I worked hard and got mine so f**K anyone who couldn't" attitude. If we still had the money that we blew in Iraq, we'd be able to afford health care coverage for everyone. America is just totally hung up on making people suffer for personal failure, bad luck or a lack of opportunity. We seem to get off on our money and possessions mostly by smirking at those less fortunate. That's what's really "Sicko."

OK, the REAL reasons that we have high healthcare costs (and high insurance costs) as well as lesser quality outcomes/$ spent.
1) malpractices lawyers.  You can correlate health care costs directly to ratio of lawyesr/MDs.  It is not just the cost of suit awards, the MAIN added cost is defensive medicine..the extra tests/scans/procedures that docs order on nearly every patient that they expect will be OK but are done on the 0.01% chance they will miss something.  Simple CYA from a group threatened since med school.
2) drug research..US drug companies due the multibillion dollar research/expensive FDA approval - Canada et.al does cheap generic knock offs and looks like  the hero.
3) Obesity rates, smoking, alcohol abuse, drugs all generally higher than most developed contries.  The majority of hospital admissions are realted to self inflicted misery.  
4) lack of emphasis in preventive care, more emphasis in end of life care (the later in part driven by #1).  

Note that more trial lawyers in office is not going to help this folks(eg Edwards who became rich from bogus cerebral palsey suits), nor is nailing insurance and drug companies who are in general just reacting to market forces generated by the above.  Americans need to take MORE responsiblity for their bad health habits not complain quiet so much about what government should be doing to provide free care.  A role of government in preventive care is reasonable but should be mediated through private sector forces as government is incapable of doing this (and most other) task correctly.        

I've said it before and I'll say it again, take the focus off of the man who is merely presenting the message of a system that's really sick. I think the main message of this article (if you're a critical thinker) displays the GOP as losing its base because they're obviously on the offensive attacking Moore when he's not a presidential candidate. It makes it interesting; however, that the article here is drawing attention to Moore's criticism without actually giving him any defense. Nonetheless, his issue of health care is still brought up, but in such a vague fashion. Anyway, MSNBC: when will your news org start do a dateline investigative news piece on the stories of the millions WITH health care in the United States and the effects that greed and profiteering have on consumers with such a lousy product? Make that a neat op-ed instead of playing the game the GOP and its base wants you to do: taking the focus away from the issue.

This, sadly, is mostly about the culture of selfishness that exists in this country. The whole "I worked hard and got mine so f**K anyone who couldn't" attitude. If we still had the money that we blew in Iraq, we'd be able to afford health care coverage for everyone. America is just totally hung up on making people suffer for personal failure, bad luck or a lack of opportunity. We seem to get off on our money and possessions mostly by smirking at those less fortunate. That's what's really "Sicko."

It must be a sad world to live in when you go to work listening to Savage, at work listen to druggie limbaugh, on the way home listen to Hannity, then when you get home watch o'reilly and FOX noise machine.  Now do we see why these people are so nutty!!!!!!

What is really sad is that I note that only a handful of you who have posted have actually seen "Sicko".  The only ones who seem to have a clue as to what the film is actually about are the two or three here who have seen the film.  I saw it last week.  It is a great and honest documentary.  It is not about the poor, the indolent, the millions without health insurance.  Its not about suffering democrats or demanding liberals.  Its about all of us who actually have insurance....and think we have coverage.  Besides those on medicaid, the only people this film is not about are the very wealthy, who can afford any manner of health care, no matter how costly.  Sure, Cheney can pay for his hundreds of thousands of dollars of surguries--even if he wasn't already covered for life for free.  But, I sincerely doubt that Gloria from La Honda could do the same.  Even routine surguries can cost 200 grand or more.  Gloria, could you cover that?  Oh, you have insurance now.  Guess what, this movie is entirely about people like you and me--the vast middle class, from upper middle class to the insured poor, who have insurance, who suddenly require coverage, only to discover that they can be turned down by their insurers.  The actual stories in this film are real, and a number of the stories are about people who were solid republicans, who thought just like Gloria, that they were immune from the problems of our health insurance/health care system.  Then, they get sick and discover their insurance rejects their claims, even though back up by solid medical evidence, even when life threatening, or when such care makes the difference between spending the rest of their lives in a hospital bed versus recovery, going back to work and living a normal life.

You may not like the messenger but the message of this film is about you and could save your life.  Go see the film, and then draw your conclusions about Michael Moore, and more importantly, about your own health safety net.

Am troubled with the thought that these blogs and messages look like Libs and Cons/Michael Moore and Limbaugh just play  for the sound bites, stir up their base, and appeal to the lowest common denominator.  I don't particularly like any of MM's films, because they attract so much criticism that the eyes are taken off the real issues.  Sicko raises a great point about health care in this country, but in true MM fashion - his info is inconsistant-bordering on innaccurate.  He uses deception, and cherry picked info that pleads his case when it isn't needed - health care status alone is enough for a movie.  But he has to use old Soviet style tactics, and use only info that is best for him, and stops looking at any other credible, peer-reviewed, etc. data.  And now, more time is being spent on the debate over accuracy, consistancy, and facts - vs the real issue of Health Care.  Bravo America, and braavo MMoore.  All he did was cause a lot of excitement - but he never generates a movement towards change.  
America has no where else to look but in the mirror when it comes to why we don't have "free" health care.  We complain about it, make movies about it - but clam up when it comes to voting yes on a 48-55% tax on our income to pay for it.  And get off the pharma companies.  Yes, they make money - but that is the world we live in.  Capitalist society - they have share holders, and profit responsibilities.  The Canada's of the world don't pay for innovation and new discoveries with years of research $.  They just benefit from ours, and because of that, they don't pay for it either - the drug companies do.  And yes, they have huge marketing budgets for branding and programs for medical professionals - but 80% of those budgets are free samples of the medications.  Would the public want that budget put towards cheaper prices without any free samples of the medications for your doctor to give you?  And enough about their huge profit margins; why doesn't MM complain about some exorb profit margins of certain physicians over others, law firms, brokerage firms, .com companies??

All the Republicans on this board are proving the point of the article. They are so easy to manipulate. Just mention Michael Moore (or Hilary Clinton, for that matter) and they turn into drooling, raving, gibbering lunatics; spouting corporate media talking points like demented parrots ("Hilary is a man", "Michael Moore is evil", "Michael Moore is fat", "Michael Moore is a socialist traitor").

Come on Republicans, you can do better than that. Defend your positions with FACTS, not rhetoric, gossip and jingoistic namecalling. If you are so certain that Michael Moore is wrong, then convince me. Tell me exactly what he is lying about. If you are so convinced of your positions, then you should be able to defend them with reasonable argument (saying you hate Michael Moore and bringing up Bill Clinton's fellatio doesn't count). Convince me why a government run healthcare program is so much worse than what we have right now. Come on Republicans, let's see if you can put together more than one coherent sentence without slinging mud. You can do it if you try REALLY hard.

Here's another thing for you to think about. We have spent almost $1 trillion dollars on the "War on Terror". Why? To protect against another 9/11. Okay, I'm fine with that. But let's say we had spent that money on universal healthcare instead and said "we'll take our chances with the terrorists" rather than invading Iraq and giving corporate WELFARE (yes, Republicans, the GOOD kind of welfare) to Halliburton and Bechtel. Hundreds of thousands of lives would have been saved because of the easier availability of healthcare. Perhaps the terrorists would have hit us again (not certain, but possible), but would as many Americans have died in another 9/11 as have died as a result of not having access to healthcare?

My point is this. Republicans are happy to spend trillions of dollars on taxpayers money to fight the most disastrous war in American history, just because they think it could save American lives (yeah, right). But they won't spend a cent to save American lives by making healthcare available and affordable to all. Hypocrisy.

deedee talks about the healthcare in France.

Dee Dee does not talk about double digit inflation, living in a 12x20 foot apartment (sorry, 3x6 meters),
70% taxes, and nightly riots.

Health care in this country?  Places like Cook County Hospital in Illinois (Chicago) will not turn anyone away.

Even if you're not covered, your covered.

Libs, keep your claw like hands out of health care.

### funny how all the rich bastards in this country hate michael moore....i wonder why that is....hmmmmmm?


Because he's so freaking stupid.

>>> you have to know deep down that Jesus was a LIBERAL.   <<

Nope.  He was a conservative.  He hated liberals.

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