Saturday, July 07, 2007
Movie Review - SiCKO
Tonight was movie night for Tracey and me. We decided to go spend $9 a ticket (way expensive) to go see Michael Moore's new movie, "SiCKO".
It was $9 well spent. Very well spent.
I've hated the medical insurance industry for some time and have believed that H.M.O.'s are Satan's own business venture. After seeing this movie, I'm even more committed to see an overhaul of this morally bankrupt industry.
Understand, I loved both "Bowling for Columbine" and "Fahrenheit 9/11". But, I understand that both of these are acquired tastes given that Mr. Moore spent much of his time propagandizing as opposed to telling the story. He has almost completely avoided that with "SiCKO".
What Moore does in this movie is allow for us to become involved quite quickly in the lives of those affected by the uncaring and despicable web of insurance fraud (and it's not the insurance industry being defrauded, but those who are the insured). We hear again and again about under-handed and disgraceful tactics which this industry commits again and again to abuse their customers. Each and every day, this industry breaks the promises they make to those they are supposed to insure. It is quite amazing, and I don't mean in the awe-inspiring way.
Hand in hand with the medical insurance industry is the pharmaceutical industry, which over-charges for medicines which are needed by so many to live.
And in the end, who are the one's who really control this mess. The politicians who are sitting nicely in these industries pockets. I personally loved the part of the movie showing all the politicians (including President Bush) who were there for the signing into law of the utterly useless Senior Citizen Prescription Drug Plan and how much they had been given by the medical insurance and pharmaceutical industry. What I especially appreciated is the truth that Hillary Clinton is now pocketing more of this lobbying largess then just about any other legislator. Congratulations Hillary, another reason why I won't vote for you.
The only over-the-top part of this movie was Moore's completely unneeded trip to Cuba with 9/11 volunteer heroes who are now being neglected by the same government who begged for their help. Shame on the New York government and the US government for their plight. Unluckily, using Cuba to make this point was probably unnecessary, and the bit where they had the fire department in Havana welcome these heroes was completely off-topic.
Oh well, if I have only one complaint about a Michael Moore movie, then it was still proving to be his best film.
He deserves another Oscar for this one.
But in the end, this movie should truly be a clarion call to all of us. We are currently allowing ourselves to be abused by these industries and we do nothing but take it. It is ludicrous that we continue to take this abhorrent treatment which we are subjected to. Each one of us need to take our representatives to task for allowing this to occur. We should be taking whatever steps are necessary to bring into power those who will not be beholden to the insurance powers that be and will help bring about universal health care to our country.
IT IS TIME.
As a post-script, I am proud to work for an insurance company which actually does keep its promise to its customers. I work for AFLAC, and in the 4+ years I have worked there I can say without question that this company does exactly what it says it will do. If you have a policy which says it will pay you a certain amount when you experience an illness or injury, you will have your money in your hand within a month or so of your submitting your claim.
I am so happy that I can say that. It makes it worth all the hours that I do work for them knowing that I am helping them keep those promises.
It was $9 well spent. Very well spent.
I've hated the medical insurance industry for some time and have believed that H.M.O.'s are Satan's own business venture. After seeing this movie, I'm even more committed to see an overhaul of this morally bankrupt industry.
Understand, I loved both "Bowling for Columbine" and "Fahrenheit 9/11". But, I understand that both of these are acquired tastes given that Mr. Moore spent much of his time propagandizing as opposed to telling the story. He has almost completely avoided that with "SiCKO".
What Moore does in this movie is allow for us to become involved quite quickly in the lives of those affected by the uncaring and despicable web of insurance fraud (and it's not the insurance industry being defrauded, but those who are the insured). We hear again and again about under-handed and disgraceful tactics which this industry commits again and again to abuse their customers. Each and every day, this industry breaks the promises they make to those they are supposed to insure. It is quite amazing, and I don't mean in the awe-inspiring way.
Hand in hand with the medical insurance industry is the pharmaceutical industry, which over-charges for medicines which are needed by so many to live.
And in the end, who are the one's who really control this mess. The politicians who are sitting nicely in these industries pockets. I personally loved the part of the movie showing all the politicians (including President Bush) who were there for the signing into law of the utterly useless Senior Citizen Prescription Drug Plan and how much they had been given by the medical insurance and pharmaceutical industry. What I especially appreciated is the truth that Hillary Clinton is now pocketing more of this lobbying largess then just about any other legislator. Congratulations Hillary, another reason why I won't vote for you.
The only over-the-top part of this movie was Moore's completely unneeded trip to Cuba with 9/11 volunteer heroes who are now being neglected by the same government who begged for their help. Shame on the New York government and the US government for their plight. Unluckily, using Cuba to make this point was probably unnecessary, and the bit where they had the fire department in Havana welcome these heroes was completely off-topic.
Oh well, if I have only one complaint about a Michael Moore movie, then it was still proving to be his best film.
He deserves another Oscar for this one.
But in the end, this movie should truly be a clarion call to all of us. We are currently allowing ourselves to be abused by these industries and we do nothing but take it. It is ludicrous that we continue to take this abhorrent treatment which we are subjected to. Each one of us need to take our representatives to task for allowing this to occur. We should be taking whatever steps are necessary to bring into power those who will not be beholden to the insurance powers that be and will help bring about universal health care to our country.
IT IS TIME.
As a post-script, I am proud to work for an insurance company which actually does keep its promise to its customers. I work for AFLAC, and in the 4+ years I have worked there I can say without question that this company does exactly what it says it will do. If you have a policy which says it will pay you a certain amount when you experience an illness or injury, you will have your money in your hand within a month or so of your submitting your claim.
I am so happy that I can say that. It makes it worth all the hours that I do work for them knowing that I am helping them keep those promises.
# posted by Kevin @ 10:40 PM 
