| There couldn't be a better word to describe Michael | | | | girl did arrive to the HMO's affiliated hospital, the little girl |
| Moore's latest film "Sicko". Traveling through the health | | | | Mychelle, was pronounced "expired." |
| care world in the United States brings on a new era of | | | | Michael Moore also takes note of other countries |
| realization of how "Sickening" the health insurance | | | | health care systems compared to the American |
| industry of America really is. | | | | system and profiles countries such as Canada, |
| Almost 50 Million Americans live without health | | | | England, and France - all which provide a free health |
| insurance in America. As bad as that is, some | | | | care system. |
| insurance companies make it extremely difficult to get | | | | In Canada, they can give their thanks to Tommy |
| any insurance claims at all for the rest of the 250 | | | | Douglas, who implemented the universal health care |
| million Americans that do have health insurance | | | | system, known as the Universal Medicare Legislation |
| coverage. | | | | created in 1961. |
| Sicko, documents a case where a man had | | | | In England, they have the NHS - National Health |
| accidentally sawed off two of his fingers, the index | | | | Service, which provides the majority of healthcare in |
| finger and the middle finger. When the man was taken | | | | England, from general practitioners to hospitals, |
| to the hospital, he was given a choice - sew back the | | | | long-term healthcare, dentistry and ophthalmology . |
| index finger for $12,000 or sew back the middle finger | | | | Founded in 1948 it has become an integral part of |
| for $60, 000 - his choice was to keep his index finger, | | | | British society, culture and everyday life. |
| and keep a place for his sacred wedding ring. | | | | In France, they have a system which offers unlimited |
| This is not an uncommon story in the American health | | | | sick days, vacation time starting at 4 weeks, and to |
| insurance industry, as Sicko depicts that health | | | | top it off, free nurse and nanny care for new mothers. |
| insurance companies will do whatever it takes to deny | | | | France was also given the title of "best health system |
| a recipient benefit claims. | | | | in the world" by the World Health Organization (WHO) |
| Another example from Sicko is of a child who was | | | | in June 2000. |
| taken to the nearest hospital, after her high fever of | | | | Why is it that countries like Canada, England and |
| 104 would not come down. When she and her mother | | | | France are able to offer their citizens free health care, |
| got to the hospital, they were informed that their HMO, | | | | and be so generous and kind, and then on the other |
| Kaiser Permanente, would not cover the little girls | | | | side, the American system being so cruel and |
| health treatment costs, and that she has to be taken | | | | cold-hearted? |
| to a hospital that is affiliated with their HMO Kaiser | | | | Sicko, explores the tragic and failing health care |
| Permanente. After arguing and desperately pleading | | | | system in the United States of America, and can be |
| with the hospital to treat the child there, and not | | | | viewed nationwide hitting the box offices on June 29th, |
| transfer her to a different hospital, by the time the little | | | | 2007. |