We Watched SiCKO

I expected to walk out of that theater feeling all fired up and wanting to scream my insurance tirades from the rooftop, but I ended up just saying them calmly to Chris in the car on the ride home. SiCKO was thought-provoking and slanted in that Oh-So-Michael-Moore way, but it wasn't the holy chaos I expected. There is always a political agenda, and I'm not sure I'm completely on board with Moore's, but so much of his movie resonated for me.

I left feeling frustrated and hyper-aware of how much money I spend now, as I sit here in very good health. What does it cost to be really sick?

This movie did make me think.

I’m hesitant to see the movie, because it is after all Michael Moore. I will say, that it is a good subject to really start talking about. I know that no system is perfect, but at least by pointing out the pros & cons from each system, maybe we can start to find a way to really reform ours in a positive and REALISTIC way. The problem is no one wants to tackle such a huge problem with its abundant red tape. It truly will take a large revolution to spark change, so in that respect maybe the movie will do some good.

Yesterday, we went to see it too. I also expected the film was going to make me feel angry and courageous and ready to take action… however, it was different this time…I felt many things, but mostly I felt deeply touched , concerned and sad.

During the film, I cried many times… I did not cry for any political agenda, or because there are or not countries with better systems…

For me, it is more about universal values, people should not be denied health care if needed. I just cannot get it. It is not fair, it is not human, and mostly, I don’t think it is necessary in a country like this, so great, with so many resources.

This film did make me think too! And I am really glad it is out there, available, opening channels of communication and debate. I think it is a good thing that Michael Moore knows how to touch our buttons… and I truly I believe that with time, openness and communication only good things come off of exposing a situation that touches ALL of us so deeply.

I just saw Sicko online 2 days ago. I have to say hurray for Michael Moore on this one. I lived without insurance in the US for many years, as my mother does currently with a chronic illness. I also know how it is to be stuck at a full-time job you hate, unable to quit or just work part-time and go back to college to finish your degree, because you can’t lose your health insurance.

Having moved to Germany a little over a year ago, I’ve now seen the other side of the coin. In the movie I think Mike may present a slightly rosier picture of France & the UK than deserved, but not much. Germany also has universal healthcare. When I moved here we visited the public insurance office (no more than a 30 min wait) and found all my new docs the first month. I can see ANY doc I want for a copay of 10 Euros PER QUARTER (no charge if you’re referred to them by your family doc), they all have ultrasound machines and more in their offices, so you get immediate tests, and I had no problem obtaining prescriptions for insulin, pump supplies, test strips, asthma inhalers, thyroid pills, etc right away. Each prescription is 10 Euros for a 3 month supply, with exceptions made for those without enough to pay. (Germany isn’t as cheap as the UK, but that sure beats the heck out of the $75 a month copay I had just for insulin in the US!) I have never had to wait more than two weeks to see a specialist, and if it’s seemingly an emergency (like cancer suspected) the insurance company guarantees they’ll find you an appointment within a week or so. In the hospital you are helped right away (waits no longer than in the US), there are house-call docs, ambulance rides for 15 bucks and staying in the hospital doesn’t cost more than a few bucks per day no matter how many tests they do or how many meds you’re on.

My only two gripes are that they judgmentally micro-manage diabetes so much I’ve wanted to bash something after appointments and their prescription system is lame. (You must get an actual paper copy from your doc each and every time you need more medicine. There’s no such thing as a “refill”, so if you have chronic illnesses life is a constant series of visiting doctors for referrals and prescriptions. They’re revamping this system in the next 2 years, though, so I have hope. )

“Socialized medicine” is simply NOT the nightmare Americans have been told it is. Yes, taxes are a little higher, but I hardly see the Germans all going broke because of that. They still seem to have plenty of money to take their 6 week long vacations to Spanish islands. And they don’t have to live in fear that an accident or heart attack will leave their family bankrupt. Honestly, every German you ask is simply appalled by the American system. And ‘Sicko’ isn’t even released here until October!

I lkeft the film feeling lik eI have been screwed my whole life. My adolescence was filled with,“Honey, you need to get a good education, so you can get a good job with insurance.” My parents still tell me to find a job with the State. They think government benefits will SAVE me.

I’m pissed that I believed the propoganda that Canada’s system was horrible. My husband and I left the film and my hubby went home and looked up the cost of villa’s in France.

If I think for five minutes about my out of pocket costs, I cry. No wonder “we” have a hard time making it. I’ve always thought I was doing something wrong, that I just didn’t manage my money very well. I ordered $176 worth of insulin, glucagon and glucose strips today; that is WITH insurance and I have three people with diabetes in my household. Cheese and Rice.