Sicko (2007)

What is completely revelatory in this film is the public backlash that appeared both before and after the film was released. I'm shocked by the support HMOs get from so much of the American public.

The most impressive part of this film for me was the British doctor who earns less that $200,000 each year who lives comfortably in one of the world's most expensive cities. The doctor stated that if doctors in the United States were willing to make less money, it would be entirely possible to operate a socialized medicine in the USA. I think this is the crux of the matter: greed.

Greed is really the hinge of Sicko, as fear was in Bowling for Columbine and corruption in Fahrenheit 9/11. Canada faces a critical point in history as it can barely fund it's universal healthcare. I think a huge part of this is how much we pay for salaries and medical supplies to be in competition with our powerful neighbour (who also carries the greatest debt load known in the history of this planet). If we could better control spending (not quality), we could better serve our population.

I think another issue is preventative care, and this was presented well in the film, though not highlighted completely. France is shown to spend much of it's healthcare budget on prevention - and this is ignored in the United States and Canada.

Cuba was another highlight. We are presented with humanity serving humanity for the sake of humanity and it really was a beautiful moment in the film.

I enjoyed the film tremendously. I think the critics of the film too quickly want to excuse big business when there really is nothing for Michael Moore to gain by getting the HMOs to face their crimes.

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