Only after my sister Linda told me good things about it did I finally sit down and watch Sicko / SiCKO, Michael Moore's 2007 healthcare documentary. I didn't really want to see it, but I did. And man, I liked it. What I really liked was seeing positive takes on some of my favorite destinations (consistently bashed by the right wing) -- France, Canada, Cuba, the UK. That was plenty satisfying.
The argument is simple -- the current healthcare system in the USA is a public health disaster because it's a for-profit business where earnings replace health considerations. Furthermore, the US is the only "advanced" country in the world lacking universal health care. As things are now, "We are the Dupes of the World!" But, since the land of the free, home of the brave is a democracy, Americans can also change things. Plain and simple.
I'd love to be a member of a not-for-profit health care association as cool and no-nonsense as the American Automobile Association (AAA) is for driving -- for $55 a year, I can get emergency towing when I need it, roadside help, road maps and all sorts of helpful benefits that also happen to make driving a bit safer for everyone. Why not a health system that delivers to everyone who needs it, too?
Natalie Wood and Dyan Cannon in 1969: "Consider the possibilities."
Today's Rune: The Self.
8 comments:
Oleg Casini said: I love short skirts.
A part of the problem with universal health care for America is that it would mean that we would have to stop subsidizing every other nation on earth that places a cap on what drug companies can charge for their goods. America without such caps gives the drug manufacturers the lions share of their profits.
If we regulated drug companies as the rest of the world does then we would automatically be held accountable for the cut back in R&D of these companies, as well as the falling money that doctors take in by ordering tests that they get either kick backs for ordering or have performed in labs that a consortium of them own.
Not to mention that a single payer system would allow them who have no health care now live longer straining the system at end of life care. Which with our for profit corporate run system now would never allow.
Peace
mark
I didn't see this, but Lana did and liked it. I caught a piece here and there that seemed interesting.
Hi Erik! Well, I'm back from L.A. - I was helping a friend move in to her new place and I was without internet. I didn't realize how much more I depend on the internet than TV, radio, food . . . LOL
I loved this post. I did see Sicko and I loved it. I agree with everything you said. I could go on and on as I am so passionate about this subject, but I think most of us are.
Also, you reminded me to renew my AAA which I overlooked during my move.
Hope you are well.
Take care,
Lindy
Funny that you posted this and Castro resigns.
I haven't seen Sicko yet, but my son did-- it was one of the inflight movies on his trip to China in November. It made an impression on him.
It'll be interesting to see what happens in the next decade in Cuba. Tourism is already a big industry. If the U.S. opens economically to Cuba, I think that medical tourism may become huge.
I had a money crunch the last few months and one of the things I put off was my family AAA membership-- $75/family a year. A good deal; for trips, you can get customized maps made. Their semimonthly magazine is also pretty good. And a AAA membership is like seat belts, a jump starter, a bond car and various other things in life: if you need it only once, it was worth having.
That should have read "a bond card." Although a Bond car would be good, wouldn't it?
Thanks, y'all for the comments!
Weclome back Lindy (and JR earlier) and here's to driving a Bond car. . .
I sure miss the Canadian health system, personally. The US anti-system totally sucks. As for change, I'm afraid the sheeple are not yet ready to take up arms...
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