2008 Woodie Awards
"Sicko" critical of U.S. health care;
Moore looks for universal coverage
Jimmy Elliott
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: Entertainment
The Lorain County Community College Film Society hosted Michael Moore's newest documentary "Sicko" this past Friday to kick off the month of February in its spring film series.
Completely different from the other films that will be shown by the film society this semester, "Sicko" is Michael Moore's attempt to show viewers what he believes to be the truth about the health care system in this country.
Moore believes the health care industry should not be a profitable business and it should be provided to American citizens by the government at no charge.
Not only does Moore voice his opinion throughout the film, but he also talks with several individuals that have complaints about their HMO's.
Moore wanted to hear about other people's experiences, so on Feb. 3, 2006 he posted a bulletin on his website titled, "Send me your health care horror stories."
This generated nearly 25,000 responses within a week regarding people who had problems with their HMO's.
Most of the stories came from paid customers of HMO's, while others were people from within the industry itself.
Employees of HMO's appeared in the film admitting that they denied some patients required procedures that would have saved their lives.
Some of these decisions inevitably led to the death of innocent people just to make an extra buck.
To show the viewers what type of health care system he would like the U.S. to have, Moore traveled to countries where free universal health care is already prevalent.
Moore visits Canada and talks with Canadians about their opinion on the quality of their health care.
He is also shown visiting Great Britain to talk to a doctor about his yearly salary to see if it stacks up to a doctor who practices in the U.S.
Moore also visited Guantanamo Bay with three 9/11 rescue workers. The prisoners at Guantanamo Bay receive free health care.
The U.S. health care system would not diagnose the workers, and they had no help paying for their expensive prescriptions.
In Cuba, they received the health care they needed and one lady got five cent inhalers that she originally paid 120 dollars for in the U.S.
For more information on the validity of "Sicko," visit Moore's website for the factual back-up list at http:/www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/checkup/.
The LCCC Film Society will be showing seven other films throughout the spring semester, including Golden Globe winner for best drama "Atonement". For more information on the spring film series call (440) 366-4140.
Completely different from the other films that will be shown by the film society this semester, "Sicko" is Michael Moore's attempt to show viewers what he believes to be the truth about the health care system in this country.
Moore believes the health care industry should not be a profitable business and it should be provided to American citizens by the government at no charge.
Not only does Moore voice his opinion throughout the film, but he also talks with several individuals that have complaints about their HMO's.
Moore wanted to hear about other people's experiences, so on Feb. 3, 2006 he posted a bulletin on his website titled, "Send me your health care horror stories."
This generated nearly 25,000 responses within a week regarding people who had problems with their HMO's.
Most of the stories came from paid customers of HMO's, while others were people from within the industry itself.
Employees of HMO's appeared in the film admitting that they denied some patients required procedures that would have saved their lives.
Some of these decisions inevitably led to the death of innocent people just to make an extra buck.
To show the viewers what type of health care system he would like the U.S. to have, Moore traveled to countries where free universal health care is already prevalent.
Moore visits Canada and talks with Canadians about their opinion on the quality of their health care.
He is also shown visiting Great Britain to talk to a doctor about his yearly salary to see if it stacks up to a doctor who practices in the U.S.
Moore also visited Guantanamo Bay with three 9/11 rescue workers. The prisoners at Guantanamo Bay receive free health care.
The U.S. health care system would not diagnose the workers, and they had no help paying for their expensive prescriptions.
In Cuba, they received the health care they needed and one lady got five cent inhalers that she originally paid 120 dollars for in the U.S.
For more information on the validity of "Sicko," visit Moore's website for the factual back-up list at http:/www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/checkup/.
The LCCC Film Society will be showing seven other films throughout the spring semester, including Golden Globe winner for best drama "Atonement". For more information on the spring film series call (440) 366-4140.
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