HW #25 - Response To Sicko

Precis:

            Americans are suffering, whether from accidental injuries, inherited disease, indulging in health-hindering habits, or work-related injuries. Many of them cannot afford insurance, and thus cannot pay for costly expenses such as a new finger where one was lost after an accident with a saw, treatment for cervical cancer, providing complete hearing for a three year old, or prescription medicine. However, even Americans with insurance are turned away from necessary medical attention. This is a result of the capitalist nature of insurance companies; the less people that are helped, the more profitable the company. Although free health care for all has been fought for by Hilary Clinton and various other politicians, it remains an essential aspect of capitalism in the US. The fear of communism reign was the main contributing factor in the failure to obtain free health care for all. However, many aspects of our country, such as libraries, fire fighting, and police departments are socialist, and other countries such as France and Canada enjoy Socialist health care. Why can’t it work for us, too?

Evidence:
            Michael Moore argued that capitalist health insurance should be changed to socialist health care in the US, because the current health care system has proven to be ineffective in helping the most people possible (thus hindering the pursuit of happiness, liberty, freedom, and justice) and a because stellar alternative can be found through the example of more socialist nations.

He evidenced this by quoting former and current employees corporate insurance providers: “Doctors with the highest percentage of denials get a bonus.” Those who are meant to care for American citizens are given a tangible incentive to do the opposite, and deny them health care. “Terminology used for acceptance in insurance is ‘Medical Loss.’” Insurance companies evidently see an accepted applicant for insurance as a regrettable occurrence. This is effective evidence, because it supports the argument that the current health care system in the US does not promote a national pursuit of happiness, liberty, freedom, justice, or even honesty. If the government or insurance companies were more motivated to pursue such ideals, then less applicants would be denied, and the government would not allow insurance companies to be so capitalist that they could only afford to turn many needy individuals away.  

            Michael Moore argued that there are alternatives to our system of health care by interviewing and exploring many people throughout Europe, specifically Europe. He did so in Canada as well. A doctor in Europe said, “I’m very happy to be part of a system that allows me to help people.” This man had been exposed to the differences between the US and his country, and he found that the need to turn patients away was something he could do without. This supports that claim that a socialist health care program would serve American citizens better than its current state of medical care, because it implies that a socialist program pleases both patients and doctors. Michael Moore also mentioned that the “Poorest in England can expect to live longer than the wealthiest in America”, “A baby in El Salvador has a better chance of surviving than an American baby”, “Canadians, on average, can expect to live three years longer than and Americans“, and “The mortality rate in America is the lowest in the Western World.” He did not provide evidence behind such claims, but if these claims are true, they are very effective evidence for why other countries have a better form of health care, because they reveal the immense life, happiness, and ease that can be found in such nations.

I explored the claim that a baby in El Salvador has a better chance at life than an infant in the US. I researched the infant mortality rate in El Salvador and in the US. I found that this claim was incorrect. According to the CIA Online Factbook, the infant mortality rate in El Salvador is 20.97 out of 1,000 babies (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/es.html). In the US, the infant mortality rate is 6.14 out of 1,000 (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2091.html?countryName=United%20States&countryCode=us&regionCode=na&#us). Michael Moore was either misinformed, or the mortality rate in one or both of the countries drastically changed since the making of “Sicko”, or he knowingly used false evidence.

I enjoyed “Sicko”, because it approached an issue I had little experience to prior to viewing it. This documentary had captivating cinematography and skillful narrating. For example, when Moore discussed the reluctance of many to advocate for a free medical system, he followed the modern images of Hilary Clinton at a podium with clips from communist propaganda films. This use of images allowed the viewer to imagine what anti-free medical system politicians and citizens may have had in mind when this topic was first introduced. It also brought humor to the issue; some would find it comical that advocating for free medical care for all would correspond to a complete and cruel communist government. I found it odd that a fear of communism would overpower the motivation to bring about health and happiness. I think Moore was mocking their fear. I don’t know how effective this was to persuade the audience that socialist medical care is positive, but it made the movie more entertaining

This movie affected my perception of sickness and death in our culture when I discovered that sickness is simply unimportant and irrelevant to some people, especially those in control of such sickness. Many people would prefer to get a bonus in their job, despite the sacrifice of others’ discomfort, and potentially lives.