very informative article. Here's a clip:

"Is Cuba's socialized health care as good as Moore makes it out to be?
Not at all. It puts a relatively high priority on health, and prevents infectious diseases well for a resource-poor country, but the resources it lacks are basic. Shortages of syringes, antibiotics, aspirin, latex gloves, even light bulbs are widely described.

Although true of Cuba, "socialized medicine" is far more rare than the term is used. The United Kingdom is the only large, wealthy country where the doctors and other providers work for the government. Germany and others with universal coverage don't even use single-payer, where government replaces insurance companies."


Full article
http://www.journal-news.com/l/content/oh/story/living/2007/2007/06/29/ddn070207lifesicko.html

Not suprising... Moore has no more loyalty to pesky "facts" than Rush or Coulter.

But you have to admit our current healthcare system is fatally flawed. When I needed some anti-biotics, which my health care provider declined to cover in spite of my ridiculously high premiums, I was charged $30 for a 6-pack of penicillin substitute. How can the CEOs of pharmaceutical companies sleep at night charging $5 a pill for something that grows on old bread?

If you can find it in a search, a few weeks ago I posted a thread about a healthcare insurance initiative being tested in Massachusettes. We will find the answer, but I highly doubt that answer lies in nationalizing healthcare.

For those that can go there and watch it Here's Moore on CNN taking on Blizer and CNN - for not researching the Sicko story or the War.

So now Michael Moore wants CNN to "tell the truth"? The man is beyond delusional.

Moore has jumped the shark by attacking CNN as being pawns of corporate America!

Moore’s bullying, childish and boorish behavior was there for all to see when he was legitimately called on his suspect facts. His intimidation manner, wildass accusations and hysterical laughter was revolting.

CNN’s Dr. Gupta by contrast looked the epitome of a rational, intelligent and balanced investigator.

CNN’s Blitzter and King tried every way but Sunday to tell Moore they still liked his deceitful movie, but Moore wouldn’t have any of it!

Adult children like Moore are the heart and soul of Socialist America, the Democrat Party.

No, it isn't in nationalizing healthcare, the answer is amputation and euthanasia!

As great as socialized medicine sounds, I know it would be much worse than things are now. Just think of those models of efficiency our government has already brought us, including the post office and DMV.

I actually liked a lot of the points Bush outlined in his healthcare plan (don't tell anyone, or I'll be kicked out of the Bush-haters club), but of course that got killed in Congress.

Not suprising... Moore has no more loyalty to pesky "facts" than Rush or Coulter.

Could you cite an example of Rush or Coulter getting the facts wrong or is your post another Bolefty hit and run?

Starting with you!

But I am not sick....
now I am confused X, I thought we were talking about sick people... Oh gosh... I am such a simpleton, maybe you could explain it to me...

He is still pissy over the fact that Larry King bumped him from his interview so they could get the Paris Hilton instead.

How about "Canada sent troops to vietnam"? Oh, but she meant the volunteers right?

What about Limbaugh's attacks on Michael J Fox's stem-cell ads in the face of medical evidence?

Here's a link that I'm sure you'll dismiss as leftist rantings:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200509120008

Just because you idolize these conservative pundits doesn't make them any more legitimate than Michael Moore. At the end of the day they're all out to line their own pockets and they're not going to let something like facts get in their way.

Anyone who thinks that socialized medicine is the way to go needs to visit Britian, and ask people to smile...unless you have private insurance, preventive medicine is not practiced...

Ditto. I have family in Canada, and they are not fans of it. Not only do they still have to buy some form of suppelmental insurance, but service is not on your call.

The FIL needed knee surgery. Once determined the need for it in April of 2006, they offered him an appointment for October 2006. He was going to be out of the country on vacation so he could not take that one so the the next one offered was for January 2007. The day of his surgery he shows up and they tell him sorry, but the surgeon will not be in today so no surgery. It is now July 2007, and still no rescheduled appointment yet.

About 3-4 years back, he needed an angioplasty....it took 3 months before they could schedule him one.

I was reading an article on this and appearantly Moore tries to make their Socialized medicine look superior in his film. He is using it to sell his brand of Socialism. It turns out that they spend more on prevention because they actually don't have the recources and the only superior care is given to the rich in Cuba. Many Cubans were interviewed.

However, it did mention that since Cuba had to rely on themselves to get medical goods that they had developed a couple of good drugs over the years. That is about it.

But, you are sick - all of us are mentally ill in one way or another - so, within your plan - you are first.

Some parts (of Sicko) are occasionally true (cruel, unfeeling HMOs denying coverage to get gretaer profits)...”

To be replaced by a ‘cruel, unfeeling Government denying coverage to reduce costs’. How are we better off?

Keep in mind that the HMO's were initiated as quasi-socialized medicine. If they are halfway a failure now, imagine what they would be like if they were part of a completely socialized healthcare system.

Guess who helped develop and implement HMO's?

Teddy Kennedy. Surprised?

My boy Mark Levin pointed this out last night. We have the "aragh, aragh, aragh" the Massachusettes Whale to thank for HMOs.

I used to work for a large health insurer and have never understood the problem with HMOs. Perhaps it's just that the one I worked for did a good job? Or maybe the problems are isolated to the bigger cities/States? I don't know. I have always had an HMO and I love it. It's never a problem if you can follow the rules...Manage your care through your primary physician! The idea is to cut out unnecessary ER visits and unnecessary treatments. Now, before you attack me, I realize that some of this can be subjective. So, responsibility to prove medical neccessity falls back on the doctor.

IMHO, the biggest problem stems from frivolous lawsuits. This creates higher malpractice premiums (you should see my wife's malpractice bill. I am happy the practice pays it!). To cover the costs, docs need more $$. They charge more for services, the insurance company limits reimbursements to an amount that is "usual and customary" so who pays the most? The uninsured who are not eligible for state aid.

No attacking here, Compguy, just discussion. Frivolous lawsuits are part of the problem. I think certain coverages can be eliminated that would result in a large burden being lifted fron the system as well, such as routine check-ups, maintenance chiropractic care (as opposed to chiropractic care for a specific problem), massage therapy (unless again it is prescribed as part of a specific course of care for a condition).

I'm not attacking nor was I accusing anyone of doing so. Sorry if it came across that way. Am I reading this correctly? You think routine check-ups should be eliminated??? Routine annual exams are key to successfully managing your care. You catch things before they become bigger problems, hopefully reducing the amount of treatment that will be needed. I agree with the others though. A limit on chiropractic care is good and massage therapy should be part of a specific course. Of course, if an employer wants to pay additional premiums for these benefits, more power to them!

Hey, we're making a movie here, who has time to check facts???

That's another thing I forgot. The Rx companies! I don't think we need to be advertising the various prescriptions. My 6 yo son was having a haircut and he sneezed. He said he was allergic to hair and he needed nasonex because that's what the bumble bee on TV told him!! It was funny on its surface, but when you really think about it.

I refuse to see this movie, as I did for his Bowling for Columbine movie, or any of his features for that matter.

Granted, I do not agree with most of Bush's policies or such or even most of the republican party as I once did, but this fat arse diabetic mouth breather does nothing to help fix the problem.

Is the current healthcare situation messed up? Sure parts of it are. Could the system be better? Sure, almost anything can be run better, more efficiently and more affordably. Is healthcare too expensive? Yes, and I know it costs my employer dearly (luckily they pick up most of the premium!).

But Moore accomplishes nothing by running around to Cuba or any place else for that matter running his mouth off and either making up or exaggerating his schtich(sp) for his own benefit under the disguise of "news."

Plus, (and here is the unprofessioanl dig) look at him!!! Like he has anyplace talking about healthcare?!!?!?!?! If he really wants to make a positive impact, he should be preaching the benefits of preventive healthcare, better eating, and more movement by taking the doughnuts ouuta his fat mouth and taking a hike (preferrabley off a steep cliff).

Hmmm.... I am gonna go ahead and say that I am not "mentally ill." But if you would like to go ahead and claim that one for yourself I am sure that you will not find too much resistance.