Sicko ****+

Soon after visiting Argentina, Carolyn and I learned that medical insurance is not employer based, like in the U.S. You buy it from whatever hospital you choose and if you lose your job, you keep it. You have to make payments, but you don't lose your coverage because you lost your job. It costs 20-25% of what it costs in the U.S. It includes mental health and preventative health coverage. And, I know this is as hard to believe, but it's true: They allow one elective surgery per year (read "cosmetic surgery"). In Buenos Aires, like Paris, doctors make house calls. And many of the drugs that are only available by a doctor's prescription in the U.S. can be had over-the-counter. After our second trip to Buenos Aires, the picture began to emerge rather quickly: The healthcare system in the U.S. is a godawful mess. Michael Moore discovered the same facts, but in Canada, England, France and Cuba. (yes, Cuba.)

Note: I gave this movie "four stars plus" not because of film quality, acting, or whatever, but rather, because it brings a powerful truth to light, in spite of the fact that it's slanted. Yes, it's slanted, but the fact is, three is no excuse for the mess of a system we have in this country. There is only shame.

Moore asks, at one point, "Who are we." Or put in another way, "how in the world did this happen?" It's simple: Capitalistic greed. Why does my dentist (who I like a great deal) charge $47 to step into the room for 3-4 minutes, after my teeth have been cleaned? To check my teeth? Yes. But that computes to over $550 per hour. So it's to check my teeth and to charge a sinful amount of money simply because that's how it's done. My insurance company covers it. That's our system.

It's interesting (and perplexing) that in the U.S. the idea of a national healthcare system is viewed negatively, as socialistic. Yet we have public schools. Why? We have a government run postal system. Why? We have social security. We have public libraries, parks, Medicare, food stamps, Section 8, etc. etc. So why is the business of insurance and healthcare private? 'Cause there's money to be made.

To get a taste of Sicko, see the Deleted Scene.

Sicko will make you laugh, but it may make you cry. You will certainly be angry and disgusted.