In My Mind’s Zen Garden

I just watched Michael Moore’s documentary film, Sicko, about the Healthcare system in the United States.

Okay, if you haven’t seen this movie yet, it might be a hard movie to watch because it shows the darker side of the U.S. healthcare system.

And, you might laugh at the guy stitching his own leg because he can’t afford medical coverage, but for the most part, listening to the woman who lost her husband because their medical coverage rejected their proposed treatment as experimental, or seeing a couple lose their home because their medical bills overwhelmed them… well…. it’s just downright depressing but a bleak reality of healthcare in America, which for the most part is NOT free!

I can only hope this movie wakes some people up, especially those flag waving people who keep on repeating slogans like “greatest country in the world” etc. This could be a serious wake up call for a proud nation. I have always wondered how people can still call it the greatest country if it does not have universal health care, but maybe the reason is, they don’t know any better. They do not realize that in other western countries this has been done for ages and it works.

Personally, my first thought and reaction to this movie was….

“I want to move to Canada, England, France or….. CUBA!”

“Cuba has a free universal healthcare system?”

Frankly, I’m not sure just how good the healthcare systems are in Canada, England, France or Cuba, but man… FREE? As in if you have a life threatening illness you’ll still be hospitalized FREE!

England has had a free health care system (NHS) since 1948.

The movie is very good. I don’t understand why Americans hate Mr. Moore so much. He does these movies for you, to open your eyes, to change things for the better, not to make propaganda. Wake up! People in other countries don’t care for your problems, these issues are yours.

Okay, this really bothers me that every time I have to visit the doctor, it’s going to cost me $30 per visit co-pay! I mean, this has doubled from the $15 per visit co-pay 2 years ago. And the cost of medications has gone up dramatically along with our gas prices.

I think the U.S. should start a Universal Healthcare System that is FREE. It’s just sad that people are being turned away because they can’t pay or don’t have the insurance. Patients are being dropped off out in the streets in front of Rescue Missions, by the hospitals!

Perhaps the exponents of expediency just haven’t met the rescue heroes of September 11 still plagued by debilitating respiratory illnesses, but unable to get the healthcare they need in the country they volunteered to help in our hour of despair.

I might consider moving to Canada. Perhaps Vancouver is a nice place since it’s still on the West Coast. Or better yet, England. I’ve always loved England anyway. C’mon… FREE Universal Healthcare?

If I get a life threatening illness I don’t want to lose my home or become bankrupt….

*sigh*

SICKO is right on target. The US is 37th in the world in terms of quality of health care–slightly ahead of Slovenia, but behind Costa Rica–but number one in terms of per capita health care spending, or $7,000 per person per annum.

Sicko is an excellent documentary, but it depresses me quite a bit. And makes me seriously want to leave the country.

Someone please tell me this ain’t true about American Healthcare….

By the way, I don’t have any healthcare coverage as a musician. And I’m a dependent on my wife’s medical insurance at her work.