Validity of "Sicko"

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Michael Moore's Sicko is "agitprop," says Toronto Star national affairs columnist Thomas Walkom, but "it is fundamentally accurate. Moore is making a film for Americans, and what he is telling his compatriots is very simple and very true: that America's refusal to embrace some kind of universal health care system makes absolutely no sense.

"Nor, outside of the U.S., is this a remotely controversial point. In Canada, no one except for a few diehards in the right-of-center Fraser Institute lionizes the U.S. system. Dr. Brian Day, the incoming head of the Canadian Medical Association, is a vigorous critic of Canadian medicare. But he touts French or German medicare, not the U.S. model. Ditto Preston Manning, the former Reform party head. He says he wants a two-tier system that would keep the existing universal system.

The reason is simple. Universal public medicare works Ã¢â‚¬â€œ which is why every industrial country outside of the U.S. employs some form of it.

"For those who choose to read the scholarly literature, the evidence is overwhelming. Americans spend more per capita on health than any other nation in the world and get worse results. This is not just Michael Moore talking; it is the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development. When Moore says Canadians live on average three years longer than Americans, he is correct. When he says infant mortality rates are lower in this country than the U.S., he is right there too.

"It's not just Canada. United Nations figures show that a baby born in Havana has more chance of surviving than one born in New York City. The British live longer than Americans as do the French and Japanese. Is it simply coincidence that all of these countries, save the U.S., have some form of universal public care system?"

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on June 13, 2007 at 10:12 AM

comment #1

Ian Sinclair says ...

As I am English I am very pleased to know that I will get the chance to see Pirates 43 while you yanks are pushing up daisies. I'll be sure and sprinkle some popcorn on your graves.

Posted by Ian Sinclair at June 13, 2007 10:28 AM

comment #2

BNick says ...

The Cuban birth rate numbers are total bunk and have been documented as such.

First off, the Cuban government is not trustworthy on the reporting of these types of statistics, given their powerful propaganda potential.

Second, even if we assume the statistics aren't doctored, the definition of "infant mortality" in Cuba or China is far different than in the U.S. In the U.S., doctors use every measure available to save premature babies or babies born with serious birth defects, and when one of these babies dies it counts as an infant death. In Cuba, these babies, if they were even born alive, would not be counted as infant deaths.

Posted by BNick at June 13, 2007 10:50 AM

comment #3

ratskiwatski says ...

Ian: Since you'll outlive me, I have a favor to ask. When I'm being rolled into the ER, and I have a hunch I'm done for, but not really sure, do you mind if I give you a ring? I hate surprises, and I understand you've generally got the inside scoop on how the big stuff turns out...

Posted by ratskiwatski at June 13, 2007 10:50 AM

comment #4

vansmith says ...

universal health care in the US is bad for business. the drug industry is too strong in DC for it to happen. morality and capitalism are often at opposite ends of the thermometer...

Posted by vansmith at June 13, 2007 10:50 AM

comment #5

Larry says ...

The drug industry has done more to help humanity than all the bureaucrats who favor universalized anything.

Posted by Larry at June 13, 2007 10:54 AM

comment #6

NYCBusybody says ...

It's simply stunning to me that liberals will actually think they can quote United Nations documents regarding a country like Cuba and think it means anything- Cuba EXISTS to propagandize. The United Nations is one of the most immoral, corrupt institutions in world history, and together, in league with a "country" like Cuba, the whole POINT is to tell bald-faced lies about everything. But as long as it's a Communist lying to liberals, they'll eat it up without a second thought towards independent or critical thinking. What mindless sheep; such pitiful lackeys for tyrants, all the while hiding behind cloaks of self-righteous moralism.

Posted by NYCBusybody at June 13, 2007 11:09 AM

comment #7

jeffmcm says ...

Yeah, but speaking of bald-faced lies, how many hot chicks have you banged lately?

Posted by jeffmcm at June 13, 2007 11:11 AM

comment #8

christian says ...

in cuba nyc pays much less for them.

Posted by christian at June 13, 2007 11:20 AM

comment #9

MAGGA says ...

As someone who has been home from work three days straight and failed to get a doctors appointment in Norway, "the best country to live in" according to U.N research, I think you can find faults with most systems (ours is the "personal doctor" system, which works well unless youÃ‚Â´re out of town). The U.S system represents the social structure in the country at large: it is a class system, for better or for worse. In medicine, it is mostly for the worse.

Posted by MAGGA at June 13, 2007 11:24 AM

comment #10

vansmith says ...

it is a class system, if you have the money and coverage you will survive most mishaps. but if you dont have the money or the coverage your chances or slim to none and the slim to none crowd is growing,plus our eating and living habits are grossly negligent.i see more fat kids in the malls and on the bustops. here's we're your fucked regarding healthcare - the checkups!!! most poor people dont get the checkups so they only go in when the bad news is full blown!! then you are burnt out you are busted or you are dead!!!

Posted by vansmith at June 13, 2007 11:36 AM

comment #11

Ian Sinclair says ...

"Ian: Since you'll outlive me, I have a favor to ask. When I'm being rolled into the ER, and I have a hunch I'm done for, but not really sure, do you mind if I give you a ring? I hate surprises, and I understand you've generally got the inside scoop on how the big stuff turns out..."

Sure thing Rat. In fact here's one in advance - BEOWULF is going to be the first animated movie to win Best Picture.

Posted by Ian Sinclair at June 13, 2007 12:30 PM

comment #12

ratskiwatski says ...

Ian: Re "Beowulf" - Love the pedigree, but if I get even a sniff that it's as flat-out creepy as "The Polar Express" I just may grab a one-way to Heathrow and buy myself a nice fat box of Quietus. Out of pocket, of course.

Posted by ratskiwatski at June 13, 2007 1:06 PM

comment #13

f.bush says ...

What people miss in the health care debate is that the people in this country who get screwed are the ones who work for small businesses. The people who don't work most likely have medicaid or sometype of medical card. I'm an attorney working in a small law firm and the only reason I have health insurance is I was lucky enough to marry a woman who works for a company that has health insurance. My clients who don't work have health insurance. Probably half the ones who work do and half don't.

Posted by f.bush at June 13, 2007 1:44 PM

comment #14

christian says ...

after the nurses screening in sacramento, they gave moore an 8 minute standing ovation.

the robot guvn'r who bragged about kicking their butts was seen wandering nearby muttering something about "expanding health care."

up yours ahnold!

Posted by christian at June 13, 2007 2:22 PM

comment #15

SpinDozer says ...

'What people miss in the health care debate is that the people in this country who get screwed are the ones who work for small businesses.'

Mr.Fubar Bush:

One of our resident Right Wingers has already solved this problem. People with poor/no coverage from their employers need to get better jobs. And by not getting better jobs, they are, in fact, expressing their support for Private Insurance. Its not too hard when you think about it. Silly

Posted by SpinDozer at June 13, 2007 7:57 PM

comment #16