The Duck and I just saw Michael Moore’s “Sicko” on Saturday, and I still haven't recovered. I laughed, I cried, I got mad, and I wanted to change the system. The movie clearly showed that not only do people often fall through the cracks in our pay-to-play healthcare system, but that is the norm. I've always thought of healthcare as a gamble where I was taking the safe bet. Sure, it would be cheaper to pay out of pocket for the few, if any, visits to the doctor I make every year instead of paying a premium every month plus copays. However, at the back of my mind is the fear-- what if something catastrophic happened, and I didn't have insurance? What if I landed tens of thousands of dollars in debt? Well, now I realize that healthcare does not prevent that at all. Plus, now I know that if I am sick, doctors and hospitals may not treat me to the best of their abilities because it would be too expensive. So what am I paying for every month again?
Watching the interviews with people in other countries was like being in a world where up was down and the sky was purple. I cannot conceive of going to a hospital and not having to pay enough for a downpayment on a car. From what I saw the care was great and free. What more could I want? Now I know that people are coming out of the woodwork to say that healthcare is bad in Canada, the UK and other countries too. I have read about long lines, chosen doctors, and the inability to make an appointment. To this I say, hey, that sounds familiar-- that is my medical life. At least they dont pay over $300/mo for it. I do, and I still have to worry about going bankrupt if anything bad happens to me.
It all comes down to the heart of the system. The main focus of a universal healthcare system is health. This system says that access to doctors and medicine is something we all need, not just the people who can afford it. It recognizes that a thriving society needs a thriving population, and that those who have should take care of those who have not. Our for-profit system in America, on the other hand, puts making a profit as its main focus. As corporations, insurance companies are legally obligated to make their shareholders the number one priority. That means the health of the client is just one factor to play around with in the game of making a buck. It could be that providing great coverage brings in more clients and justifies higher premiums, turning out a profit. However, denying access to doctors and necessary costly procedures is an even easier way of making money. So which do you want at the core of your healthcare system-- health or money? Medical expenses are the number one cause of bankruptcy in this country, and thanks to a law passed last year, it is even harder for people to declare bankruptcy. I am all for fiscal responsibility, but life happens to people and there should be a way for them to recover from it.
I really liked how Michael Moore compared free universal healthcare to other free services that we take for granted like libraries, schools, police, and fire departments. There are certain things in life that are too important to put into the hands of the capitalist system, beholden to the almighty dollar. When money becomes the first priority, everyone suffers. So I support a free, government-run healthcare system for all. And don’t tell me about all the problems in other countries again. They have the right idea, and if there are little problems than why can’t we take that American ingenuity and spirit and fix them?
So if you haven’t seen “Sicko” yet, what’s stopping you? It’s an eye-opening movie, and it will be a great excuse to open up the dialogue with your fellow movie-goers about our healthcare system.