Sicko
Filed under Health, 60 Comments,
After exploring the predominance of violence in American culture in Bowling for Columbine and taking a critical look at the September 11th attacks in Fahrenheit 9/11, activist filmmaker Michael Moore turns his attentions toward the topic of health care in the United States in this documentary that weighs the plight of the uninsured (and the insured who must deal with abuse from insurance companies) against the record-breaking profits of the pharmaceutical industry.
Watch the full documentary now
You might also like to watch these documentaries:
October 28th, 2008 at 22:13
WOW!!!! really puts a new perspective doesnt it! and people call Obama a socialist!!! GEEZ!!!!
March 12th, 2009 at 19:05
I have never been more embarrassed of my government then I am at this moment!!!!!!!
March 15th, 2009 at 10:59
I live across the border from the U.S. (Cd. Juarez, Mx.) and I would often see or hear about american people coming here to see a doctor, go to a dentist or buy their medicines and always wonder why. Now I clearly see why
March 16th, 2009 at 14:35
The grass is always greener on the other side but here in the UK, America seems like a health desert in serious drought.
April 14th, 2009 at 19:03
Very entertaining, clearly bias, no depth analysis of the american health insurance.I believe that it was not necessary for Moore to take these sick people to Cuba just to make his point clear, wasting lots of valuable time which could have been used for a more comprehensive report.
By the way, I’m from Germany, we have a compulsory health insurance over here, just like in Britain.
The disadvantages of compulsory insurance are not explored by Moore for example HIGHER TAXES!!!
***Stars
Regards,
Der Oberst
May 5th, 2009 at 01:38
Der Oberst – I understand what you say about HIGHER TAXES, however, if we lose our job that MAY have health insurance, to continue it and be insured is upwards from $350 a mo. (for one person). Are your taxes equivalent to that? Plus we get hosed with the pharmaceuticals and their enormous markup on the prescription drugs.
May 21st, 2009 at 14:12
Moore is a SICKO…
May 29th, 2009 at 08:41
The one documentary everyone has to see, and see again…
June 1st, 2009 at 09:53
wow…I’m glad i saw this.
June 1st, 2009 at 14:34
The people of the USA are good people.
But they sold there freedom.
Easy done!
So buy it back with votes. Elect an independent.
The poor of the USA are slaves to the system.
Poor education for the poorso they do as they are told.
You could lose your job if you didn`t work hard!
So do the same to your politicians.
You can not buy good government .
But you can buy “A” government.
June 6th, 2009 at 23:24
Michael Moore is the best. His movies have really educated the masses. Thank you Michael. Love Always.
June 7th, 2009 at 00:57
My best friend dead from cancer June 01, 2009, She finally got her first health care plan at 47 one year ago with 2K deductable. I LOVE YOU ANGELA, single mother of 3. My heart is broken. I can’t believe you’re gone. Cancer of the gall bladder and intestines.
June 9th, 2009 at 23:40
Der Oberst: That’s a common argument against universal healthcare, in return i just gotta say that a bit higher taxes is a small price to pay for knowing that you won’t be abandoned on the street cause you can’t pay your healthcare bill.
Alos, yes the cuba part is a bit exxagerated, think he actually got legal issues cause he closed in to guantanamo bay.
June 12th, 2009 at 20:04
This movie makes me so angry at this medical’ system. …And the idiots who fuss about taxes (which they will pay one way or the other) I don’t even understand them.
June 16th, 2009 at 02:25
who would live in america,,,,not me,,,,the american dream?….more like a nightmare…good luck to mr moore,,,a david and golieth battle ahead,,,,,
June 18th, 2009 at 06:05
lol why are Americans so dumb like their president? Makes you wonder what they learn in school.
Schools, Health, Defense, Postal services should all be partially/fully under government control.
June 27th, 2009 at 19:01
hey gfto im a american and Im probably smarter than you are, with the ignorant comment you made.
July 11th, 2009 at 10:12
Wow, that was amazing.
It’s absolutely mind boggling that they would turn a dying person away because they couldn’t pay. Or make a person choose between two fingers. Michael Moore is hilarious.
I hope this new age of internet starts getting people in America more aware of how corrupt their government is and how biased their media.
July 13th, 2009 at 09:33
I wish this documentary would be played at congress and they somehow found a way to feel the disgrace of their actions. Taxpayers being thrown under the bus is a disgrace to the world. WE as a Nation that is suppose to be a world leader is meaningless when we put profits ahead of human life.
July 14th, 2009 at 18:44
Brovo! Michael Moore. What can be done to have this info
spread to commercial TV and Radio. I watch PBS, Moyers….
but not everyone does….we need this impressive, uniterrurted message to reach everyone in this nation.
July 18th, 2009 at 21:57
yea micheal takes sick people to get health care from a poor country run by a dictator while we have millions of illegals from mexico and everywhere else in the world getting health care in the ER of every hosptial in the country. We need to secure our borders and american citizens wouldnt have as high healthcare costs because the illegal burden would be gone! Michael moore is a NUT!!
July 25th, 2009 at 07:43
I have seen SiCKO several times and I have to admit that I am not a fan of Michael Moore. But if even 25% of SiCKO is true, then the American people are being controlled and manipulated by the Drug companies, the insurance companies and the politicians they have purchased.
I pay $4500 per year in health insurance premiums, maybe $375 to $400 in co-pays, and perhaps $1400 in pharmacy bills. That is $6340. If other countries are paying equal to that in higher taxes, then they can keep universal health care. But if it is anything less than that amount, count me in.
August 4th, 2009 at 19:07
Social market economy > all
i’m glad to pay higher taxes for good health care(,good roads and stuff like that)
i really don’t understand the American fear of socialism… You don’t have to get a 2. UDSSR if you act in favor of the poor and not so rich.
August 9th, 2009 at 19:17
I have watched this video more than once and the more I watch the more angry I get. I watch the current debate on healthcare and what come through loud and clear is the message from the health insurance providers, hospitals and drug companies. The people who are the easiest lead in the wrong direction are the ones who are the most vocal about not wanting any changes in the current system or systems. If the President does not prevail in this matter and healthcare reform goes down in flames like it did in 1994, we will never see the opportunity come around again until it is too late. All the folks running around ,running down what is trying to be done in 2009 will come to realize that they no longer have coverage, their coverage is too expensive, heathcare is rationed and will want something done and guess what guys we are too far down the road and no one, but no one will be able to turn the big bus around.Coupled with the other social and economic pressures which will occur at the same time will throw our country into anarchy and revolution. All this time, the other folks in our small little globe we live on today are just laughing and waiting for the crash subside and just walk right in and have their way……Not a very pleasant series of thoughts……wake up America before it is too late.
August 9th, 2009 at 20:24
Joel S. just like Obama is a social marxist who wants the government to ration care just like canada and the uk. Its time for America to stand up for FREEDOM, not a social agenda with big government who tells us what doctor to see and if our treatment is to expensive. The only way government cuts cost on healthcare is to deny care. I am fine with paying for my healthcare knowing that the government is not choosing whether i get care or not. I DECIDE WHEN I GET TREATED AND NOT A FREAKIN BREAUCRAT!!!
August 9th, 2009 at 22:53
To tell the truth I would much rather have a publicly elected bureacrat bargaining for me and all my fellow americans, Rather than having an ONLY profit driven insurance company making the decision to deny me of coverage.
Stop the scare tactics. The public option is the most effecient way to group ALL of us together. a pool of 50 million customers is a HUGE bargaining chip to use.
If we go with the republican co op plan, it will break up the 50 million into tiny chunks, and we lose our voice. I hope people realize this. United we stand.
August 10th, 2009 at 07:28
“social marxist”, John?….heehee, now you’re just making sh*t up. I live in Canada and wouldn’t trade it for anything, despite your inevitable “nanny-state” comments.
“big government who tells us what doctor to see”…I can only assume you’re referring to HMOs here cause Moore’s observations of the Canadian process was bang-on.
Speaking of which, dig a little deeper into the case of the woman who went to the Mayo Clinic because of her brain tumour…I’m sure you’ve seen the ads.
Sorry John, but you’re not paying for the healthcare that you say you’re ok paying for, you’re paying to line the pockets of insurance providers who (like any insurer) will try to deny coverage – that’s Moore’s whole point and is the basic problem with the for-profit insurance model when it’s applied to social programs. To extrapolate the same model to…say…public schooling, you would have your local school board institute policies of exclusion for the poorest and for any that may be difficult to teach for whatever reason.
“By the people, for the people” my ass….more like “paid for by the people” and “do it to the people”…
The bottom line is that a private insurance program artificially installs a middleman who needs to be paid. Who do you think covers that significant piece of the pie ?
August 10th, 2009 at 09:57
To John: Greetings: I am a Canadian Eh! And I agree with “Shreque” I can see any Doctor, or any other type of Practitioner that I want to see, also any Specialist that I want to see, without any Government intervention or approval! We do not throw anybody out on the street, because everybody in Canada has free Medical Care! I do not know where you got your erroneous information from! Micheal Moore was dead on!…Regards.
August 10th, 2009 at 10:45
ADDENDUM; In Canada our taxes sometimes go down, not up. Our G.S.T. went down. Plus most people get personal G.S.T. rebates every 3 months. business’s get rebates every year. If I want extended health coverage It will give you a private hospital room, free ambulance, eye exams, 80% coverage for all prescriptions, eye glasses, and dental care. All that for 40$ per month…. cheers!
August 13th, 2009 at 18:23
I am a american and i just cant understand how my fellow americans cant see the garbage that is the american healthcare system is. America pounds its chest about being the best in the wolrd about everything ,it seems to have no commonsence i just love the part when an american got some care other than here ,how shock they were when they did not have to pay WAKE UP SHEEPLE
August 13th, 2009 at 19:09
John, you do have a bureaucrat standing between you and your doctor – it is called an insurance company. the insurance company ie the middleman is why Americans spend more on health care than the rest of the Western world but get poorer results. Lets get rid of over-priced drugs, and treatments, kickbacks and pie cuts and we will have better healthcare for a lower cost. Amen.
August 15th, 2009 at 22:40
Karen and Dynce and Joel S. and all the other marxist who believes in Michael Moores social propagana are crazy. Why arent americans flocking to canada to receive healthcare??? because it sucks! Thats why the Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had successful heart surgery at the Cleveland clinic in ohio. Because the garbage universal health care in Italy is no good. Just another example of big government officials imposing their will on the people of their country but when government officials get sick they come to the USA for treatment. Universal healthcare just doesnt work.
August 15th, 2009 at 22:47
to Achems: Greetings. i am from the usa and i sure as hell wouldnt go to cananda for healthcare. Wait 45 minutes to see my doctor or 6 months to see a canadian doctor, easy choice. and you’re still under the illusion that your healthcare is free….its called taxes. Thats why everything is more expensive in canada.
August 16th, 2009 at 00:17
To John: Greetings: You say why aren’t Americans flocking to Canada to receive free Health Care? My answer is, how can they? You figure it out. Every body pays taxes! that is a given. For “Canadians” all you have to do is walk into any “walk in clinic” anytime, no waiting. Everything is more expensive in Canada? It could be, but not more expensive for us. Regards:
August 16th, 2009 at 07:04
To John: I should of mentioned to you our basic wages in Canada are higher than U.S. So what seems more expensive to you in Canada is not more expensive to us.
August 22nd, 2009 at 16:59
I spent 6 weeks in a hospital, countless tests and drugs,
I paid..about 10 for drugs. I live in australia, michael missed us:-)
but we have a less corrupt government, although your disgusting businesses are trying to corrupt our health care, mainly the diagnostics sector. however we have a watchdog that makes sure exorbitant and unjustifiably stupid prices aren’t paid for services.
Michaels stay in Cuba was justified, and any dissenters need to examine themselves.
Wake up, your government lies to you all the time, its basically owned by the argi businesses food mega giants and the pharma medico bast*rds.
Wake up Amerika. youv’e been had!
and do NOT take the H1N1 Vaccine, it’s a bigger lie!:-)
looking forward to the new movie!
August 25th, 2009 at 00:13
in Belgium we have some of the highest tax rates in the world. fine by me.
at least I know that I, and my future children, will never be denied any top class medical assistance; that the best schools and universities will welcome us for no more than 700$ a year; that I will keep on getting paid even if I loose my job; …
if this is your Americans idea of a socialist nightmare, well then call me a pig, be happy paying your coverages and entrance fees, and live long and healthy (better don’t get sick!) in your land of the free
.
September 7th, 2009 at 10:00
I love the U.S.A. but unless your “RICH”, don’t get sick!!!
September 11th, 2009 at 20:51
John
August 15th, 2009 at 22:47
to Achems: Greetings. i am from the usa and i sure as hell wouldn’t go to Canada for health care. Wait 45 minutes to see my doctor or 6 months to see a canadian doctor, easy choice. and you’re still under the illusion that your health care is free….its called taxes. Thats why everything is more expensive in canada.
did you even watch the movie? they waited 20 minutes you dum****… no matter how much taxes you may have to pay in Canada it still wont ad up to all the money they steal fom us…f*** it i would rather pay a little more sales tax knowing i wont pay 200 dolars and more for a little 2 mile ambulance to the hospital..choice is yours ignorant dum****.
October 13th, 2009 at 02:53
the video is down!
October 13th, 2009 at 16:43
No it’s not. Let it buffer/load a little bit. Youku is kind a slow.
November 2nd, 2009 at 01:04
I would rather get my healthcare in Canada or Europe than here, in the USA
November 9th, 2009 at 09:52
I agree if 25% of this is true then we are all f’d up here in USA. People are denied medical care and others are tossed outta hospitals while Americans in France, UK and canada get medical care for free to the point they are embarrassment jeez this American dream is no longer a dream but a nightmare if you get sick and you live in usa. I am a consertive and now i understand the difference between socialized and universal medical care – political rhetoric. I am supporting Obama’s health care plan from this day on. i have good medical benefits from a large company but i as soon as that health care bill passes i will take the public option. and i hope many more millions than the 50 million of us w/o health insurance take it too so we can send this big insurance companies out of business so they can stop raping us live, left and right. you can boast all you want that you live in usa and have health ins. but your day of reckoning is when you get sick and a middleman is determining whether you can see a doc or not. that is sick. yet you have been a “nice boy, nice girl” going to work to pay your insurance coverage, college loan etc. the nightmare is real. wake up people it’s time! shame to us if even cubans have access to free medical care. and by the way it’s not socialized medical care but universal medical care. but what does that matter to you any way. you have your health insurance don’t you. just don’t get sick. bravo mr moore. i promise to watch all your works objectively henceforth. i was so wrong about you, you can be nutty but you do make sense.
November 9th, 2009 at 10:08
i had to get something else off my chest. do we call our public schooling socialized education? no. if we have universal public education, why not medical? think people, think. college education is so darn expensive yet it’s public institutions. i bet if the governement made college education free would anybody yap their mouth about socialized education? no! why not health. and while you are at it college education too. this is not communism this is provision of basic human dignity.
NEWS FLASH it’s not normal to wake up be a “nice employee” run to one job, then another all to pay bills. and not enjoy a yearly vacation in another country if you so choose. cause that’s how life is in europe. but i know you have no concept of this cause us americans work all our lives with one life time dream of making a trip to disney world or hawaii and we are done in life. and before you start your insults i am one of them too. but why bother this flies over an american concept of life anyway. how can a country be so rich yet it’s people are such economic slaves?
November 9th, 2009 at 14:21
Not only that, but Americans are raping Canada out of free health care!
Costs Canada Billions of dollars! Shame on you!!!!
November 9th, 2009 at 22:22
Hey Vlatko do you have a link to the new M.M. movie “capitalism : a love story”
November 9th, 2009 at 22:35
lets review. 22yo is denied cervial cancer treatment bc she is too young to get cancer. an old woman is cabbied and abandoned in the streets. 911 workers who have been denied medical care are given the same in cuba for free. what is wrong with this picture seriously. now your insurance companies command you not to have certain diseases because of your age? gee thanx. your prezo said ask a canadian. here’s my answer – i want nothing of your system i will stay in canada thank you very much. i agree if even 10% of this movie is true all americans form usa should be supporting obama’s bill overwhelmingly. stupid.
November 9th, 2009 at 23:25
No I don’t have the link Kyle, but I’m sure it can be found via torrents somewhere.
November 19th, 2009 at 22:15
I really dont want any documentary film but since I have watched the CAPITALISM I get pretty interested…Its true that theres a lot of corrupt polticians…Hopefully one of this day those corrupt politicians open up their eyes,and think that life is like a “wheel”….and theres no way that they will remain on top…hopefully they will think the that there is a posibility they might be at the bottom one of this day and imagine that they are on poor people’s shoe…
November 24th, 2009 at 14:31
It does not want to play and i dont know why but i would really like to watch this.
November 24th, 2009 at 15:49
wow!
November 24th, 2009 at 17:37
It is unbelievable to me that people can actually be unemployed and still get good healthcare. And at no cost or very little cost. Though I have been fortunate enough not to have had any serious health issues so far, I fear the day I will begin to. The cost I have endured so far where socking to say the least, when so little was done. If my taxes pay for ambulances and the people who operate them, why do I get a bill for using them? This movie actually has me considering moving to a different country where healthcare is free. At 46, with all the junk in our food supplies and all the stress that comes from living in this country, I am sure to have some sort medical problem in the future. I think my savings are going to be my way out of here and not to increase the profits of a hospital I may have to visit. Thanks Mike for the heads up.
November 24th, 2009 at 21:23
Tony:
Yes, that is true, here in CANADA you do not have to sew up your own knee caps, and you do not have to choose what fingers you want to keep!.
And nobody is thrown out on the streets, ever!
I have never been unemployed, or on social assistance, but if I was, you even get more medical benefits, everything is covered 100%, medical, dental, all prescriptions, etc: nothing to pay for at all. period.
I personally could not envision paying for any medical, etc:, that would be like living on an alien planet.
December 6th, 2009 at 06:41
Canada rocks! American’s throw them.
December 27th, 2009 at 20:33
Its simple: either you go for the “American dream” freedom b*******, or you go the social path.
It is PROVEN (!!!) that the social way works (Canada, UK, Germany, France).
It is PROVEN (!!!) that the American model works for 90% and doesn’t work for 10% of the population. This leads to people dying, end of discussion, no doubt.
I hope you egoistic right wing conservative Americans choke on your supposed “dream”. Someday the people will wake up and chose the right thing.
January 3rd, 2010 at 02:14
I’m crying after watching this! I lost my best friend and it is just unbelievable the way we our controlled from our food to our healthcare. I am in shock. Thank you Mr. Moore for telling the truth!!!
January 3rd, 2010 at 07:24
I never knew that the US had no health care system. I learned to appreciate more the place I live
. Always thought that the US was a great country to live in, but as it sums up they are far behind (not only in the health domain). It truly saddens me the fact they believe socialism (which is not communism) is harmful, the free market system takes care those who lead it not those who compose it, its not the land of opportunities any more.
January 21st, 2010 at 01:56
omg this totally changed my perspective towards health care. i m feeling so lucky that i m not in the US atm. poor americans
January 22nd, 2010 at 03:07
My name is tony and I am a redneck hick who knows about the health-care system. Therefore I conclude that Canadian health care is like a thirld world country compare to my great American system.
February 2nd, 2010 at 05:22
I agree many of us in US are affraid if they have to pay taxes but if you look at it this way politicians they know our weekneses so they threten us with higher taxes so people wont go after what makes sense they shut our mouths that way .They spend so much money on stupid thing when they would stop that nobody should pay healthcare and emplyers of big companies should.What I am trying to say here is WE WILL PAY HEALTH INSURANCE FAIR ONE 600/MONTH +2500DEDUCTABLE SO YOU PAY THE INSURANCE BUT YOU PAY THE DOCTORS TOO,SO YOU ARE STUCK YOU CANT PAY THE DEDUCTABLE BUT “YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO HAVE INSURANCE”BUT CANT USE IT .iF YOU CANT PAY THE INSURANCE YOU ARE OUT.BUT THEY KEEP THE MONEY YOU WERE PAYING THEM .tHEY KNOW MOST OF US CANT MEET THE DEDUCTABLE OF 2,500 IN A YEAR.sO THEY DONT HAVE TO PAY YOUR BILLS WHILE YOU ARE FILLING THEIR POCKETS.WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO WAKE UP,HERE IS NO FREEDOM THEY CONTROL EVERY MOVE YOU MAKE AND HAW WILL YOU DO IT.AND IF THEY DONT LIKE IF YOU STAND OUT FROM A CROWD YOU ARE DONE ,KISS YOUR LIFE GOODBY!THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY.THINK ABOUT IT.DOES NOT TAKE SUPERGENIOUS BRAINS JUST LOGIC.