Nothing funny about ‘Sicko’ state of health care

[Contrary1]

Gitmo prisoners get better medical treatment than Sept. 11 rescue workers
By Arthur Caplan, Ph.D.
MSNBC contributor

"A number of reviewers have described "Sicko," Michael Moore’s new documentary film about health care in the United States, as funny. It isn’t.

Sure there is a chuckle or two to be had. You have to smile when Moore uses '50s-style anti-communist film clips to mock the fear-mongering American politicians engage in whenever the subject turns to "socialized" medicine, or when he is bellowing through a bullhorn while bobbing in a boat in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, begging for the same level of health care for workers injured in Sept. 11 rescue efforts as we afford the evildoers locked up in maximum security at Gitmo.

But "Sicko," which opens nationwide Friday, is not funny. It is tragic. You should not come out of the movie theater smiling. You should leave angry. "Sicko" is right on target about the mess that is American health care.

Moore's critics would like you to believe "Sicko" is slicko. Those with vested interests in preserving the current status quo in health care have already activated their lobbyists, media flacks, think-tank mouthpieces and trade organizations to go after Moore and his movie. There are nearly $2 trillion worth of vested interests out there in insurance, managed care, hospitals, doctors, advertisers and salespeople looking to keep their share of the health care pot of gold..."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19461932/