[Toka]

Just caught this via Netflix...sadly, what people feel about the director seems to overshadow whatever the topic at hand happens to be...I am by no means a fan of his across the board, but when it comes to issues like this, he has a point. How anyone can watch the 9/11 rescue VOLUNTEERS be denied medical coverage, only to get in quickly (and for free) in Cuba and not be pissed off is beyond me. It has nothing to do with trivial partisan politics, its has to do with whats right...and the way the system in the US is set up right now, it ain't right!  I have good insurance and I still feel that way...can't begin to imagine what would happen if I got really sick, or worse, did not have any insurance at all.

And now I must wonder if this film can be discussed without becoming a flame pit inside of 5 minutes...

[fredgarvin]

Sicko is , of course, a documentary purveying the pov of the director. What is factual or verifiable is open to the perception of the viewer based on his experiance, beliefs or lack thereof. It is expected, really, that others would want to agree or disagree and communicate this with others. You know, maybe on a forum. After all that is the objective of a documentary vehicle. I'll bet the director welcomes any and all flaming.

[Toka]

I welcome differing viewpoints on the film (certainly, it was far from perfect), as well as opinions on the healthcare industry, as it relates to portions of the film. What I have NO interest in reading is "The director is a communist", "He hates America", blah blah blah. Especially from people who probably never saw the film in question (as seems to happen with this sort of thing). Again, not that I'm a huge fan of his (and I don't mention any names to avoid derailing anything), but that isn't the point.

[mjosef]

I have this docu. on my Netflix list...hope to view it soon. But I have seen this topic covered on various other reports like America Undercover and Frontline... and its not a pretty subject...

[Woodsea]

I live one block away from the hospital that gave the free treatment here in Cuba.  Since I have been here and with personal experience, I know first hand that  the medical care is not first rate nor cheap let alone free.
 I was living in Mongolia at the time of the filming of this documentary.  Health care was better and cheaper in UB.  Don't try the other big cities as their  clientele cannot justify the expense of modern machines think pre soviet 1990's, to pay for the services.  So they travel all they way to UB.

[maxwalrath]

I didn't have health insurance growing up in Yonkers, NY 15 years ago.  Any time I got sick, I had to sit in the emergency room for hours while all the gun shot victims were taken care of.  Follow up care wasn't really an option at all.  The health insurance industry fucking blows. 

[Woodsea]

I concur, Maxwalrath

[2bigears]

   in these times you best be healthy,as like in so many aspects o life  ' cash is King '     {Eat lotsa Garlic }

[Toka]

Yea, a few years back I nearly severed my little toe completely off (long story)...bone was intact but that was about it. So I get a ride to the hospital, not thinking to grab my wallet. I'm hopping around on one foot, blood pooling on the floor, and they made me go BACK HOME to get my wallet/insurance card, otherwise I would have to pay completely out of pocket ("everybody says they forgot it"). Whatta crock.

[Wind Chaser]

As you most likely already know, here in Canada it's a different story.  I've been back and forth to the doctors office at least 7x in the past month and countless times over the years.  Had surgery on one occasion and stayed at the hospital 3 days, was electrocuted on another occasion and rushed to emergency.  Never once did I pay or receive a bill in the mail at a later date.  And yet we Canadians complain all the time about our health care system.   

[doug s.]

imagine how much better your system would be if its budget were doubled.  if you did double it, your per-capita healthcare cost would then be equal to what healthcare costs per capita in the good ol' us of a...   

doug s.

As you most likely already know, here in Canada it's a different story.  I've been back and forth to the doctors office at least 7x in the past month and countless times over the years.  Had surgery on one occasion and stayed at the hospital 3 days, was electrocuted on another occasion and rushed to emergency.  Never once did I pay or receive a bill in the mail at a later date.  And yet we Canadians complain all the time about our health care system.