BBC Online diskussion
The latest film from controversial director Michael Moore is released this week.
'Sicko' takes an unflattering look at the US healthcare system, comparing it unfavourably with those of other countries such as Canada, France and the UK.
But critics have argued that the film portrays the healthcare systems of countries such as Canada as near perfect, when in fact there are many areas that could be improved.
Do you work in healthcare? What are the best and worst things about healthcare provision in your country? Does the US system deserve such criticism? Where do patients really get the best deal?
Published: Monday, 25 June, 2007, 10:07 GMT 11:07 UK
http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6674&&edition=2&ttl=20070626111647
Added: Tuesday, 26 June, 2007, 04:28 GMT 05:28 UK Its laughable when I see people put cuba as an example...have you seen the hospitals that aren't for medical tourists? You'd be shocked. The US health system is flawed in some ways, but its incomparibly better than most. I like the UK/Canada system but the downside is long waits and lower quality. Reform needs to find a middle ground between the US and UK systems. Ali Raza, Fort Collins, United States |
Added: Tuesday, 26 June, 2007, 03:25 GMT 04:25 UK Our U.S. healthcare system is so expensive due to the outrageous malpractice insurance fees hospitals and doctors have to pay...because of all the frivolous law suits. The underlying problem is in the legal system, not the healthcare system. marishka, boston |
Added: Tuesday, 26 June, 2007, 03:02 GMT 04:02 UK Yukon has a population of 30,000, there's a shortage of doctors and nurses, but medicare is FREE and excellent. Waiting lists referred to by a US comment can be fixed without turning Canada healthcare into a USA money grubbing butchers shop. What the blogger didn't mention was American tourists running out of Canada without paying their medical bills. The USA health issue is about a national paranoia of anything socialist/left. They (US Govt) would love to destroy Canadian Health Care. Alan Byrom, tagish canada |
Added: Tuesday, 26 June, 2007, 01:48 GMT 02:48 UK Chikezie from Ontario delcares the U.S. healthcare system to be "a system for the rich and high-wage earner." Dan, Minneapolis |
Added: Tuesday, 26 June, 2007, 01:32 GMT 02:32 UK I moved to Fredericton several years ago and I haven't yet found a doctor. Yet I know at any time if I need medical attention I can go to the emergency room and recieve care, yes I might have to wait, but it is free.The main problem is we lose too many doctors to the US. I think if the US adapted a universal heath care policy, canada's heath care would improve since we wouldn't lose as many doctors to the US, or Canada should adopt more incentives such as tuition rebate to keep doctors here Melanie, Fredericton, New Brunswick |
Added: Monday, 25 June, 2007, 21:30 GMT 22:30 UK The US has the worst healthcare system in the industrial world. alan mclemore, Kirbyville, United States |
Added: Monday, 25 June, 2007, 20:22 GMT 21:22 UK I keep seeing people comparing the US and Canadian systems. As one of the 45ish million Americans without any type of Health Care Coverage Plan I would rather wait 6 months for a procedure or set up an appointment a year in advance than live without Health Care Coverage. Or better yet, maybe we should stop comparing the two systems. The US has plenty of money and plenty of innovative people. How about suggestions for an entirely new Health Care System that doesn't leave anyone out? Anon |
Added: Monday, 25 June, 2007, 18:33 GMT 19:33 UK I am a US college student and I currently take several medications and without the most expensive insurance option I would have to pay more than $500 a month for medication (and yes, 2 of them are generic and cost $5). As for the waiting lines in Canada, try asking anyone with an HMO how long they have waited for treatment. Some die on the way to the ER while having a heart attack simply because the HMO doesn't cover that ER, or the cancer patient who dies before their chemo claim is approved. Rachel, USA |
Added: Monday, 25 June, 2007, 18:09 GMT 19:09 UK I would argue there is no US healthcare 'system.' What we have is a patchwork of federal programs (Medicare/Medicaid for the elderly/very poor), state programs (vary greatly), charity, and private insurance either purchased or employer provided (if you're lucky). Tens of millions of people are left out because insurance is too expensive, they aren't poor enough for gov't assistance, or they are 'uninsurable.' Doctors often won't even see people without insurance, regardless of ability to pay. Rebecca Fizer, Columbia, Missouri, United States |
Added: Monday, 25 June, 2007, 17:46 GMT 18:46 UK Anyone who has lived in the US knows that Moore's perspective is very accurate! I talk from many personal experiences in NY and CA. Unfortunately americans are been brainwashed to believe that they have the best health care system in the world. Good doctors and hospitals but who can actually affort to be treated??? Plus dental care requires ANOTHER insurance! And they cover only tiny part of the fees! A lifetime of enormous monthly insurance fees! and if u are already sick they refuse insurance! claudio, San Francisco |
Added: Monday, 25 June, 2007, 17:35 GMT 18:35 UK The health care system in the US benefits only the insurance companies and those who have shares in them. People are afraid to get sick even if insured as most insurances only cover a small part of the care fees. Hospital fees private doctors and dentists charge astrononical fees compared to other countries. $$$500-1000 for ambulance use, $800 and up for a root canal, $500 plus for a simple tooth filling, 2000 and up for overnight stay in the hospital.. Imagine!!! Stella, San Francisco |
Added: Monday, 25 June, 2007, 17:33 GMT 18:33 UK If you don't have health insurance from your job in the US, you can get individual insurance privately but it's hideously expensive. But if you work, your health coverage is roughly 300 dollars a month for a single individual, depending on what state you're in and what plan you have. You still have to pay some for Dr's visits, medicines and usually 20% of your hospital bills. Jeremy Mason, London, United Kingdom |
Added: Monday, 25 June, 2007, 17:28 GMT 18:28 UK We need to get away from the idea that a high-tech, expensive, technological solutions are "better". All procedures carry risks. The US's "defensive medicine" = carrying out a barrage of tests and procedures at every opportunity in case the doctor gets sued, safe in the knowledge that the insurance company will foot the bill for the lucky ones. Risks often outweigh the benefits for the individuals and the country is left with no health cover for the most vulnerable with no insurance Carmen, London |
Added: Monday, 25 June, 2007, 16:08 GMT 17:08 UK I was a financial counselor in a trauma center in southern california for nearly 5 years. No one is turned away! It was my job to make sure everyone was signed up for any aid possible (to make sure the hospital got paid from someone) We even paid to have some patients transfered to a local county hospital for follow up care if that made their care possible. At least in my area the problem isn't health care not being available to citizens, it was the illegal immigrants that strained the system Roger Russell, Redding |
Added: Monday, 25 June, 2007, 15:29 GMT 16:29 UK As a student and a US citizen from a Northern state, I have a great deal of friends from Canada. What I always hear about their experiences is the following: Waits on the order of months or more for important healthcare or surgical procedures, and a system so congested that regular checkups and preventive care has to be scheduled a year or more ahead of time. David Severs, Hanover, NH, USA Recommended by 5 people |
Added: Monday, 25 June, 2007, 14:44 GMT 15:44 UK I've been happy with my care in Canada. When myself or family have needed surgery we had 6 week waiting times. We were treated with respect and had great recoveries. I'm happy with my family dr., I was pleased by the care I have received from midwives and OB/GYN's, paediatritions, ER's and Neurologist. It's not been perfect, but they've all been there when we were broke, without private insurance and treated us well. I wouldn't want this system to change much. Emily, Toronto |
Added: Monday, 25 June, 2007, 13:47 GMT 14:47 UK The US health care system extorts money from the patients and doctors. The tragedy is the politicians and the law protects the insurance companies that sets the rules .The the insurance companies trade in stocks , lose and declare them self bankrupt and are protected again . The poor can't get Medicaid and millions are with out health care and die in a country as rich and powerfully as the US is a disgrace .It's still like the Wild West in white shirt and ties......they are lawyers . |
Added: Monday, 25 June, 2007, 12:47 GMT 13:47 UK Extremely lengthy waits for treatment in Canada allow cancers to spread to untreatable proportions. It's quicker and easier in Canada to get surgery for your pet than for yourself. Over 90% of the innovative medicines and surgical techniques that have extended human lifepans have come from the U.S. The film is just more propagand by the real "Sicko", Mr. Moore. Preston, Farmingdale, NJ, USA |
Added: Monday, 25 June, 2007, 12:44 GMT 13:44 UK America's healthcare system profits the multi-billion$ health insurance companies, high-end healthcare workers and healthcare providers. Majority of America's most vocal group...politicians, rich, middle/upper middle class have good health insurance and so are not pressured to fault the system. Medicaid and Medicare gives those on social support some semblance of coverage albeit inadequate. Yes, there over 40 million Americans with no health insurance. A system for the rich and high-wage earner. Chikezie, Ontario |
Added: Monday, 25 June, 2007, 12:44 GMT 13:44 UK What health care system. with the constant cutbacks and layoffs here I have not been able to afford it for several years. An average Blue Cross & Blue Shield policy for a family here is $15,000 a year. That is over 3 times my yearly mortgage.and twice my yearly property and school tax. We give BILLIONS away every year to countries and for what. It could be much better spent here. I would get better health care as an illegal alien who snuck in to the US. RJPierson, Effort, USA |
Added: Monday, 25 June, 2007, 12:11 GMT 13:11 UK Cuba is a striking example of the benefits of putting people before patents. The premiums which U.S. consumers pay to provide pharmaceutical companies, insurance providers, and diagnostic equipment manufacturers with extraordinary profits, and doctors and other medical professionals with dream remuneration, are simply incredible for those of us who are accustomed to buying generic drugs. Quality differentials are vastly exaggerated, especially since top brand owners outsource so liberally. Dr S Banerji, Mumbai |
Added: Monday, 25 June, 2007, 11:53 GMT 12:53 UK There is no perfect health care system and if there was one no one could afford it. The problem I see is that Insurance companies set the rules for economic reasons and the folks who truly need health care are hurt the most by the rules: the young, frail, chronically ill, the aged. Penny, USA |
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