anyone seen "Sicko"?

[sweden]

after seeing the documentary about healthcare and health-insurance in the U.S. I´m sure happy I live in Sweden! totally crazy...Ive never really understood the term "greatest country on earth" which is very popular in the US, what does it really refer to? Greatest in what way? It´s quite silly really..it´s just like when kids say they have the greatest dad on earth or something, it´s not really based on anything and there is no evidence to back it up..strange!

[sweden]

the reason I came to think about this subject, is that I remember I read a message on this board where someone asked for what cheap non-prescription products where available for treating rosacea. This person couldnt afford going to a derm and getting meds. At that point I didnt understand how that could be, why didnt they just get the meds from the goverment for free if they were too poor to pay for them?

[Skywolf]

Im am sitting here in a wrist splint (that I just happend to have) for an injury I got helping out a neighbor because I cannot afford to go to the doctor, who would just put me in a splint anyway. Health care in America sucks. You dont have insurance, or a bunch of kids to get some goverment help, your SOL. Rosacea is also still considered a cosmetic problem, many times, so even if you do have insurance it wont pay.
A good friend of mine had, well, very large breasts, it caused her terrible back trouble, bra strap marks litteraly dug into her shoulders, it took her about a month of wading through red tape to get the insurance company to help her with a reduction surgery.

Laura

[Steve95301]

Much of the innovation still occurs in the U.S. due to the profit motive.

[patty]

This is a really hot topic for me. I've never been a fan of Michael Moore, but I am thrilled he has brought this to the worlds attention. We do have the most messed up health care system in this country. What drives me crazy is the insurance companies play games with peoples lives. You pay your premiums, month after month, and when you dare to actually USE it, on a new med, or even surgery, they decide if it's necesary, or maybe there is something cheaper! Like dying! WHO THE HELL DO THEY THINK THEY ARE!!!
My husband had to wait for approval on a f***ing cheap generic med for his prostate. Even the pharmacist couldn't believe it! It doesn't matter if you have the best insurance from an employer, or government paid. They hold your lives in their greedy hands.

[Kathy S]

Haven't seen it yet, but agree the insurance companies suck!!! We pay out the wazoo and get very little coverage, in fact don't really know what kind of coverage until we use it. Self-Employed is tuff on that. Pays nothing on prescriptions and in fact went up 20 bucks on the premium when they got my records on the face thing, derms and all. That was yrs ago when I was trying to get help with it, I haven't done much of anything with it in yrs. Anyway, it is true good ole USA, but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else regardless, this is my home and I am proud of it!!!! Has alot of room for improvements still !! Kathy :lol:

[Skywolf]

I also love my country, but the healh care system is trashed. I havent seen Michael Moore movie yet, plan to. I did see an interview with him, he said he delibratly did not have any drug company rebut because they get enough time on air selling the stuff. I dont disagreee with all medication, but so many are in for profit and not help. (the amount of spam from drug companies is astounding here, on this forum)


Laura

[Melissa W]

I haven't seen the movie because I don't think it's been released here as of yet. I can't wait to see it though. I think Michael Moore's stuff is thoroughly engrossing, eye opening, entertaining and shocking as well as informative.

I agree the health care system here needs much work and I am disappointed at how little is actually being done to improve things. It's extremely difficult to afford good health care here even with insurance especially because rosacea (at least in NY) IS considered mainly cosmetic with the insurance companies. That is basically because they can get away with it, unfortunately.

Before I was married I was paying for my own health insurance (now I am covered through my husband's job) because I am self-employed. The cost was astronomical!!! You don't want to know how much I was paying per month...and I was 100% healthy at the time,ie no medical conditions.

And g-d forbid you need a specific doctor/specialist. If your plan doesn't cover that dr or he/she doesn't take insurance (as is usually the case) you are **!!**!

Anyway, I still love America and would not want to live full time anywhere else. I do think she's the greatest country in the world (no offense to all my forum friends). Remember, love is a subjective emotion and there is no right or wrong. I hope wherever you live you love it and think that it is the greatest! Despite the fact that no country, no person, no healthcare system is perfect.

Best wishes,
Melissa

[sweden]

oh yea just to make things clear, my posts weren´t meant to be anti-american, but critical to the system in that country.

[Melissa W]

I know Sweden! :D

[patty]

We do have a lot to be thankful for in this country. I'm glad that we as citizens, have the right to question and challenge if somethings' not working. Right now our healthcare system isn't working. I shouldn't have to pay $133 a month for Oracea. I have insurance!

[Quench]

I think the UK health care system is excellent. Sure, it has it's faults - I'm not saying it's perfect, but we don't have to worry about meeting any costs at all should we fall ill.

There is private insurance here too and it means that you get a private room in a hospital, sometimes a different hospital, but I don't think the standard of care is any better. In fact, I suspect it is sometimes WORSE in many cases as doctors get motivated by ££ just as much as anyone else and can recommend expensive treatments. Ironically, if a private patient gets seriously ill here, the NHS takes over to some degree as usually the specialists required are NHS employees.

[Skywolf]

oh yea just to make things clear, my posts weren´t meant to be anti-american, but critical to the system in that country.

Didn't take your post as anti-American either Sweden.

Laura

[Melissa W]

I just saw Sicko and I am very disappointed in America.
The movie is great and I highly recommend everyone to see it.

I feel that Americans have been brainwashed to think we are the best in everything and it simply isn't true.
I am a very patriotic American but I can't ignore the facts and this movie speaks louder than words.
We have been sold a bill of rights and it is full of bs. It is a grave situation that we are facing and there is no simple solution but I really feel "sicko" about American healthcare (and politics) after seeing this movie.

Please make sure you see it!