Review: ‘Sicko’ reveals reality of American health care

Directed by: Michael Moore

Rated: PG-13

Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore has been dismissed, discounted and maligned since his first movie, “Roger and Me,” was released in 1989. His next two films, “Bowling for Columbine” and “Fahrenheit 9/11,” and the TV shows “TV Nation” and “The Awful Truth,” cemented his reputation as a left-leaning rabble-rouser. And while his views are definitely far left of center, the facts presented in his films have not been disputed.

The manner in which he pieces things together – always beginning with wry satire that leads to desolate reality – makes it clear he has a political agenda, but such is the nature of every film maven. The best directors – from D.W. Griffith with “The Birth of a Nation” in 1915 onward – have had a definite point of view for the stories they have chosen to tell.

Moore’s latest movie, “Sicko,” is fully saturated with his polemic life view and has, not surprisingly, received criticism from the usual suspects. But most of that criticism is Moore’s own presumed biases. Critics of his work have standard talking points when it comes to Moore; calling “universal coverage” “socialized medicine” is a prime example. Forget that every other civilized nation offers universal health care. “Socialism” is a concept that we Americans simply cannot abide (with the library system, fire departments, public utilities, et al, excepted).

“Sicko” is closer to “Roger and Me” in its tone than to Moore’s other films. His focus here is on social problems created by a firmly entrenched consortium of companies and industries who have a vested interest in keeping things not necessarily the way they are, but the way these powers want them to be.

The facts are nothing less than shocking. It’s easy to laugh when Moore, who narrates the film in his droll voice, points out there are other countries with worse health care than the most powerful nation in the history of the planet. Slovenia, for example is ranked 38th, just one notch below the United States.

But by the final moments of “Sicko,” after seeing patients dumped at homeless shelters by corporately owned hospitals and people who were involved in the post 9/11 cleanup traveling to Guantanamo Bay for medical care, the seriousness of the situation becomes painfully obvious. That the 9/11 volunteers end up getting treated – for free – by the Cuban health care system (and Moore may be facing charges for ignoring the United States’ embargo against Cuba) is at once a powerful statement in the film and a publicity stunt. Such is Moore’s great talent.

Besides Cuba, Moore visits three other countries – Great Britain, Canada and France – and examines their health care systems. He interviews not only doctors, nurses, and long-term and emergency room patients, but does a lot of “man on the street” chats with average citizens. The most vocal and vehement arguments made by the opponents of “socialized medicine” is the poor quality of care and long waiting periods faced by the average person under such a system.

While Moore obviously wouldn’t use anyone that would testify against his point of view, the people he talks with make compelling arguments and give heartfelt testimonials for the health care that they are receiving.

Moore talks with a man here in the Unites States who cut off the tips of two of his fingers. The powers that be offered him a choice. Replacing the middle finger cost considerably more than replacing the ring finger. The man, who Moore cites as a “hopeless romantic,” chooses to replace the tip of his ring finger instead. A patient with a similar situation in France is incredulous when Moore interviews him and asks if he was faced with such a decision.

And so “Sicko” goes. Whether one agrees with Moore’s “socialist” politics or not, anyone who has dealt with an health management organization, unexpected emergency room visit or a long-term elderly care facility will have to agree that something is wrong with the way America is dealing with health care.

Moore’s best point may be when he talks about the nature of the American way. If a country builds a better car or makes a better wine, we tend to buy, even tout, it. So why can’t we do that with a health care system that is embraced by virtually every civilized country on Earth? Granted, we’re ahead of Slovenia and all, but taking a lesson from the French – whose health care is rated No. 1 – may not be such a bad idea.

Instead we preoccupy ourselves with renaming “French fries” “freedom fries” when the ungrateful Gauls refuse to go along with us on certain matters.

Moore has taken a lot of flak this time around for being so unhealthy and “preaching” about health care. But take note: He’s on a diet and exercising regularly. He’s even cut down on his “freedom fries.”

Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician. He can be reached at info@wunderlesound.com.