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Been to see "Sicko" yet?
July 4, 2007
1:04 pm

hey gang,

I went to see Michael Moore's new film, "Sicko" on Monday and I want to pass the word along to everybody to see it. It's amazing!!

I think Moore has done an excellent job of not just exposing some really terrible healthcare horror stories (including those of some 9/11 rescue responders who have been denied care for conditions that resulted from working at Ground Zero), but also inspiring hope and maybe even political will to support new legislation in the US that could create a single-payer, universal healthcare system like the one I have enjoyed as a Canadian.

There's tons of interesting stuff to read about the film and about additional stories that aren't in the film, at Moore's website,

Now there's a nice, non-codependent thing to do -- go out and start a revolution!

July 4, 2007
1:39 pm

Hey Kroika,

That was my plan with my sister (who wanted to do something "patriotic" for today, but I can't leave my dog alone with the fireworks (Macy's) that go on right at the end of our block! Still, I might go alone.

He got good response for that film, and as far as I hear it is quite bipartisan.

July 4, 2007
2:27 pm
Forum Posts: 433
Member Since:
September 27, 2010
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Hi Kroika

What is the healthcare system in Canada?


July 4, 2007
10:42 pm

Hi mzrella,

I think it would be very patriotic for you to go see Sicko. I've been talking about the movie with friends and saying I am inspired by Michael Moore's attempt to get something going on this issue. One friend said, "The Americans need more than a "movement", though. They need a revolution." I wonder...

I'd be very interested to hear your reflections after seeing the movie.

Hi free,

that is a big question!

If you have some time to spend, you could go to http://www.parl.gc.ca/informat...../944-e.htm

or also just google "Canada Health Act" and see what you come up with. Searching on "Tommy Douglas + medicare" will also bring up quite a lot of info about the man who is considered "the father of Canadian medicare", and the way that universal health care became a defining part of the Canadian national identity in the last century.

Here is a very quick thumbnail description from the website of the Canadian Legal Information Institute:

Canada Health Act
Primary objective of Canadian health care policy

- - - - - - -

Michael Moore commented on his website that when "Sicko" was screened at the Cannes film festival, the *only* criticism he got was from two Canadians, who complained that he paints an overly rosy view of the Canadian healthcare system. He asked them if they would be willing to trade their Canadian healthcare cards for his American one..... they said NO!. But he understands that the Canadian system has been underfunded for at least the last 20 years as various Canadian leaders have, for whatever reasons, been pushing for more American-style (i.e. for-profit) healthcare.

Oh.... don't get me started on NAFTA and "harmonization"....

Urk! So anyway, you asked "What is the healthcare system in Canada" and although it is changing, for the last 45 years it has been based on the idea that all citizens should be entitled to get healthcare when they need it, period. It was a single-payer system where the government administers the funds that pay for medical services. If you are employed, some funds are witheld from your pay and put into the medical fund, and your employer matches them and the government makes up the rest. If you are unemployed, and on welfare, you are still entitled to healthcare although, as I said, the system has been under pressures to privatize and there are starting to be such things as user fees for services that you didn't used to have to pay for.

But essentially the idea of a "social safety net" was dear to the hearts of Canadians, and the idea of people going bankrupt due to medical bills was unacceptable to us. I am hoping that "Sicko" will not only inspire folks in the US to rise up against those obscene HMO's, but will also inspire Canadians to get our own system back on track.

July 5, 2007
1:55 am


Yes, actually we both agreed that nothing would be more patriotic than Sicko. Our plans didn't work out, she was busy during the day, so was I so I had company- she and a friend came over at night. We will go another day.

It's good he's not trying to paint either politcal party as faultless in this matter- I do believe that turns a lot of people off when you have a valuable message that should be heard by all, (though on some issues the responsible people just might happen to be of one or the other party.) On health care both parties have disappointed as far as I'm concerned. This is something that is important to most people. Not may people can afford to pay for private insurance if they don't have a job that has benefits. Even if you do, sometimes you get the short end of the stick.

My sister's bf died sooner than he had to because he had cancer and no insurance. He ended up going to hospital emergency rooms, one diagnosed him with a "bladder infection" when blood was coming out during urination. WTF? Don't they do a simple test for that?

I've seen all of Moore's films when they were in the theaters. I believe he really does love this country and that's why he cares to do the things he does... he just wants it to be a better place for everyone. Think of how many people he has inspired to educate themselves further on the topics his films focus on. I wish I had a talent like that!

July 5, 2007
7:19 am


I'm so sorry to hear that about your sister's bf. What a waste - and, I'm sorry, to me a crime.

I agree with your take on Moore. If he didn't care, he wouldn't bother. I like him a lot.

I bet you have more talent than you give yourself credit for. It's finding somewhere to channel it that is the challenge for me, maybe you too?

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