Comments on: Michael Moore talks health care crisis with Oprah. http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:26:54 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Scott http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/comment-page-5/#comment-3926461 Scott Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:30:10 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/#comment-3926461 300 million americans and this is Moore's best shot?? Of course the US has problems...many of them caused by too much government. The government artificially keeps down the number of health care givers with bad regulations. Moore is the master of the cheap shot. He has never done an indepth analysis of anything in his life. 300 million americans and this is Moore’s best shot?? Of course the US has problems…many of them caused by too much government. The government artificially keeps down the number of health care givers with bad regulations. Moore is the master of the cheap shot. He has never done an indepth analysis of anything in his life.

]]> By: Björn http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/comment-page-5/#comment-3923018 Björn Tue, 10 Jul 2007 10:38:34 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/#comment-3923018 I've seen the film and it scares me.. I would never want to live in a country that the people like that... it should be a civil right to get great, affordable healthcare. I live in Sweden... we may have one of the highest incometaxes in the world... but we still manage to live a really good life just as you do and we never pay more than 30$ to go to the doctor... no matter what's wrong. medication isn't allways that cheap but it's affordable.. you pay for your medications and when you have payed a total of 100$ then the rest is free for the rest of that year. and btw. US is NOT the wealthiest country in the world.. that would be Norway!! many of you don't realize it but you are practically owned by asia... I'm amazed that a country as powerful as the US spend so much money on going to war on the other side of the world... instead of making taking care of it's citizens the number one priority.. I think Michel moore is doing a great job. Very interessting film and I loved the Cuba part.. muahahaha. I really hope that things will change.. as you now know... US is the only western country that doesn't provide people with universal healthcare... it's time something happens!!! I’ve seen the film and it scares me.. I would never want to live in a country that the people like that… it should be a civil right to get great, affordable healthcare. I live in Sweden… we may have one of the highest incometaxes in the world… but we still manage to live a really good life just as you do and we never pay more than 30$ to go to the doctor… no matter what’s wrong. medication isn’t allways that cheap but it’s affordable.. you pay for your medications and when you have payed a total of 100$ then the rest is free for the rest of that year.

and btw. US is NOT the wealthiest country in the world.. that would be Norway!! many of you don’t realize it but you are practically owned by asia…

I’m amazed that a country as powerful as the US spend so much money on going to war on the other side of the world… instead of making taking care of it’s citizens the number one priority.. I think Michel moore is doing a great job. Very interessting film and I loved the Cuba part.. muahahaha. I really hope that things will change.. as you now know… US is the only western country that doesn’t provide people with universal healthcare… it’s time something happens!!!

]]> By: Scott http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/comment-page-5/#comment-3915890 Scott Sat, 07 Jul 2007 06:52:07 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/#comment-3915890 Here's the sad truth. As long as Corporations (such as health care and pharmaceutical industries) own the lobbyists, and as long as Lobbyists get presidents elected, we will have a big up-hill battle, just short of a revolution to fix this corruption and greed on Capitol Hill. Living in Canada, on work visa from the USA, I paid about 12% more in taxes. HOWEVER ... at the same salary as I was making in the USA, I had more money left over at the end of the year. WHY? No insurance payments, no deductibles, only 20% of the cost for pharmaceuticals MADE IN USA, less fees fees fees in Canada than in USA. In USA, they take take take and give as little as possible in return. It far offset the extra taxes I was paying. Canadians are in the habit of seeing the doctor for preventive health care. You can get a full physical, get checked out if you think you may have symptoms, get a colonoscopy, a breast mamogram, whatever. You are way more likely to get preventive health care if you live in a system where you don't have to empty out your wallet every time you want to get those tests done. I had NO problem getting to see our family physician in Canada on the same day. If it was on the weekend, there were community clinics and hospitals. We always got great treatment in Canada. NOW, I'm back in the USA. Full coverage insurance, because of a family member's pre-existing illness, cost us about $1750 per month. Then we have fees fees fees on top of it. OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS CRIMINAL !!! If you don't believe me, then that's because you have been lucky and have missed the bullet. You haven't gone bankrupt or haven't been denied health coverage. Just wait, it will happen to you or someone you know and it will cost yet another life needlessly. Here’s the sad truth. As long as Corporations (such as health care and pharmaceutical industries) own the lobbyists, and as long as Lobbyists get presidents elected, we will have a big up-hill battle, just short of a revolution to fix this corruption and greed on Capitol Hill.

Living in Canada, on work visa from the USA, I paid about 12% more in taxes. HOWEVER … at the same salary as I was making in the USA, I had more money left over at the end of the year. WHY? No insurance payments, no deductibles, only 20% of the cost for pharmaceuticals MADE IN USA, less fees fees fees in Canada than in USA. In USA, they take take take and give as little as possible in return. It far offset the extra taxes I was paying.

Canadians are in the habit of seeing the doctor for preventive health care. You can get a full physical, get checked out if you think you may have symptoms, get a colonoscopy, a breast mamogram, whatever. You are way more likely to get preventive health care if you live in a system where you don’t have to empty out your wallet every time you want to get those tests done.

I had NO problem getting to see our family physician in Canada on the same day. If it was on the weekend, there were community clinics and hospitals. We always got great treatment in Canada.

NOW, I’m back in the USA. Full coverage insurance, because of a family member’s pre-existing illness, cost us about $1750 per month. Then we have fees fees fees on top of it.

OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS CRIMINAL !!! If you don’t believe me, then that’s because you have been lucky and have missed the bullet. You haven’t gone bankrupt or haven’t been denied health coverage. Just wait, it will happen to you or someone you know and it will cost yet another life needlessly.

]]> By: Scott http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/comment-page-5/#comment-3915879 Scott Sat, 07 Jul 2007 06:29:35 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/#comment-3915879 I'm an American who lived in Canada for 9 years. A liver transplant surgeon in Canada saved my 33 year old wife's life. As a result, my two little boys have a mother. At first, we got quotes to have the surgery done in the USA. By this time it's a pre-existing illness and we could not get health care coverage in USA. Those CASH quotes were about $300,000 and could be as much as $500,000 if there were complications. I don't make that kind of money. We researched on-line and found the best surgeon we could find (the Director of the Liver transplant program at Toronto General Hospital) and he took my wife as a patient and saved her life. My wife had a severed bile duct from an earlier surgery in the USA. The surgeon saved my wife's life and it cost me $5.00 per day for the parking meter while I went to see her in the hospital for the three weeks she was there. We are FRIGHTENED of the USA health care system. For this fact we are becoming Canadian citizens. All of the horror propoganda you hear about the Canadian health care system in the USA is completely false. Of course it's not perfect, but it's perfect enough to make me want to leave USA and become a citizen of Canada. Am I a Socialist, am I anti-American? I doubt it. I'm an honorably discharged military veteran and spent time defending my country. I love the USA, but to not have health care in the USA is CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. It has to change. I have always been a Republican, but now I am switching sides because of this issue. Thank you and God Bless Michael Moore for making this movie! I never liked him until I saw this movie. I firmly agree with his stance. I’m an American who lived in Canada for 9 years. A liver transplant surgeon in Canada saved my 33 year old wife’s life. As a result, my two little boys have a mother. At first, we got quotes to have the surgery done in the USA. By this time it’s a pre-existing illness and we could not get health care coverage in USA. Those CASH quotes were about $300,000 and could be as much as $500,000 if there were complications. I don’t make that kind of money.

We researched on-line and found the best surgeon we could find (the Director of the Liver transplant program at Toronto General Hospital) and he took my wife as a patient and saved her life. My wife had a severed bile duct from an earlier surgery in the USA.

The surgeon saved my wife’s life and it cost me $5.00 per day for the parking meter while I went to see her in the hospital for the three weeks she was there.

We are FRIGHTENED of the USA health care system. For this fact we are becoming Canadian citizens. All of the horror propoganda you hear about the Canadian health care system in the USA is completely false. Of course it’s not perfect, but it’s perfect enough to make me want to leave USA and become a citizen of Canada.

Am I a Socialist, am I anti-American? I doubt it. I’m an honorably discharged military veteran and spent time defending my country. I love the USA, but to not have health care in the USA is CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. It has to change. I have always been a Republican, but now I am switching sides because of this issue.

Thank you and God Bless Michael Moore for making this movie! I never liked him until I saw this movie. I firmly agree with his stance.

]]> By: debbie http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/comment-page-5/#comment-3883811 debbie Mon, 25 Jun 2007 20:30:34 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/#comment-3883811 I have a "Plan B" policy (basically, I couldn't afford the premiums for Plan a anymore). Plan B means give your money to the insurance company and get nothing back unless you get REALLY sick. I wonder what would happen to the insurance companies if all us healthy people boycotted. I could save the premiums and pay for my rare doctor visits out of pocket. I have a “Plan B” policy (basically, I couldn’t afford the premiums for Plan a anymore). Plan B means give your money to the insurance company and get nothing back unless you get REALLY sick. I wonder what would happen to the insurance companies if all us healthy people boycotted. I could save the premiums and pay for my rare doctor visits out of pocket.

]]> By: David http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/comment-page-5/#comment-3882766 David Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:22:25 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/#comment-3882766 I live in the Netherlands, and pay appr. $150 per month for health insurance. In exchange for that I get all the medical care I need, which I guess is as good as in the US. It shouldn't be too difficult to set up a non-profit system like ours in the US. Stop thinking about money first! I live in the Netherlands, and pay appr. $150 per month for health insurance. In exchange for that I get all the medical care I need, which I guess is as good as in the US. It shouldn’t be too difficult to set up a non-profit system like ours in the US. Stop thinking about money first!

]]> By: Russ http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/comment-page-5/#comment-3882033 Russ Sun, 24 Jun 2007 22:22:13 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/#comment-3882033 The US health care industry, specifically the technology, breakthrough procedures, drugs, quality of doctors etc. is higher than any other country in the world. Why? There is the most money to be made in it. From drugs, salaries, hospitals, everything. If you were a surgeon, where would you go? A nationalized program where you earnings are limited, your funding limited, or somewhere with virtually unlimited resources in both areas? If this weren't so, why do all the foreign doctors that come here to get degrees not return to practice in their native lands? $$$. My parents emigrated from England. I've been there many times and walking into a hospital there is like taking a step back in time. I have an aunt who has had Parkinson's for about 15 years and her 'treatments' she receives on socialized medical care are quite inferior to things regularly available in US. My Grandma needs cancer treatment, on the list she goes. 'At capacity' she's told. I'm not saying that our current system in its availability or affordability isn't flawed, but just because everyone pays 35-45% of their income to taxes doesn't mean they are getting the best health care they can. The US health care industry, specifically the technology, breakthrough procedures, drugs, quality of doctors etc. is higher than any other country in the world. Why? There is the most money to be made in it. From drugs, salaries, hospitals, everything. If you were a surgeon, where would you go? A nationalized program where you earnings are limited, your funding limited, or somewhere with virtually unlimited resources in both areas? If this weren’t so, why do all the foreign doctors that come here to get degrees not return to practice in their native lands? $$$.

My parents emigrated from England. I’ve been there many times and walking into a hospital there is like taking a step back in time. I have an aunt who has had Parkinson’s for about 15 years and her ‘treatments’ she receives on socialized medical care are quite inferior to things regularly available in US. My Grandma needs cancer treatment, on the list she goes. ‘At capacity’ she’s told.

I’m not saying that our current system in its availability or affordability isn’t flawed, but just because everyone pays 35-45% of their income to taxes doesn’t mean they are getting the best health care they can.

]]> By: Bob http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/comment-page-5/#comment-3881223 Bob Sun, 24 Jun 2007 13:28:27 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/#comment-3881223 Healthcare in Britain is run on taxes and is essentially free to everyone rich or poor. It is not perfect here but is much better than in America. Healthcare in Britain is run on taxes and is essentially free to everyone rich or poor. It is not perfect here but is much better than in America.

]]> By: Pat W. http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/comment-page-5/#comment-3880342 Pat W. Sat, 23 Jun 2007 22:09:20 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/#comment-3880342 Many of the arguments continue to be based on false premises. Single payer, universal health insurance is NOT a health care delivery system owned by the government. The present cost of health insurance in the US, if applied to everyone, WOULD cover us all right now. My brother lives in Sweden. His wife was born there. She works for the Swedish government as a visiting home aid to the elderly. These folks live on their own with a little extra help into their nineties and beyond. Preventive health care including dental care is no problem, unlike the US. Many of the arguments continue to be based on false premises. Single payer, universal health insurance is NOT a health care delivery system owned by the government. The present cost of health insurance in the US, if applied to everyone, WOULD cover us all right now. My brother lives in Sweden. His wife was born there. She works for the Swedish government as a visiting home aid to the elderly. These folks live on their own with a little extra help into their nineties and beyond. Preventive health care including dental care is no problem, unlike the US.

]]> By: Jor http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/comment-page-5/#comment-3865944 Jor Tue, 19 Jun 2007 08:51:08 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/#comment-3865944 I live in the Netherlands and first of all, we do not have a socialistic country. Only compared to the USA. Here people are obligated to insure themselves. We have insurance companies that are non-profit (about 60% of the companies). And because of that many insured people our monthly costs are quite low. Just try to look across your own borders and you will see the rest of the world isn't a 'third world country'. I live in the Netherlands and first of all, we do not have a socialistic country. Only compared to the USA. Here people are obligated to insure themselves. We have insurance companies that are non-profit (about 60% of the companies). And because of that many insured people our monthly costs are quite low. Just try to look across your own borders and you will see the rest of the world isn’t a ‘third world country’.

]]> By: Len http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/comment-page-5/#comment-3864932 Len Mon, 18 Jun 2007 20:04:10 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/#comment-3864932 #165: Countries like the Netherlands actually have a lower unemployement rate and higher economic growth than the US. So calling socialism a failure is bullshit. #165: Countries like the Netherlands actually have a lower unemployement rate and higher economic growth than the US. So calling socialism a failure is bullshit.

]]> By: ChicO http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/comment-page-5/#comment-3864743 ChicO Mon, 18 Jun 2007 19:05:43 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/#comment-3864743 I like the intention of the movie but making a link between the health care on guantanamo bay and that for helpers at the 9-11 disaster is way wrong. People in guantanamo bay aren't kept a life becasue of good will of the US. these people are tortured and trying to end there own lifes. I really don't get making a link between health care and a prison where really wrong things happen. I like the intention of the movie but making a link between the health care on guantanamo bay and that for helpers at the 9-11 disaster is way wrong. People in guantanamo bay aren’t kept a life becasue of good will of the US. these people are tortured and trying to end there own lifes. I really don’t get making a link between health care and a prison where really wrong things happen.

]]> By: thijs http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/comment-page-5/#comment-3864487 thijs Mon, 18 Jun 2007 17:34:20 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/#comment-3864487 Well another reason why Im happy not to live in America... Well another reason why Im happy not to live in America…

]]> By: Jane E. Schneider http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/comment-page-5/#comment-3863626 Jane E. Schneider Mon, 18 Jun 2007 02:46:25 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/#comment-3863626 Comment by Troll — June 17, 2007 @ 7:45 am Only a fool would think that I believe the PRESENT corporate-owned Congress would be up to the task. Comment by Troll — June 17, 2007 @ 7:45 am

Only a fool would think that I believe the PRESENT corporate-owned Congress would be up to the task.

]]> By: Flaco http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/comment-page-5/#comment-3863512 Flaco Mon, 18 Jun 2007 01:12:39 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/#comment-3863512 Scratch that, lets all take healthcare advice from a 500lb man and a 300 lb woman. Comment by mandolin ------------------------------------------------------------- Dude you own this thread funny but so true. MM loves capitalism. Make a buck while you can Fat boy. Scratch that, lets all take healthcare advice from a 500lb man and a 300 lb woman.

Comment by mandolin
————————————————————-

Dude you own this thread
funny but so true.

MM loves capitalism.
Make a buck while you can Fat boy.

]]> By: muckdog http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/comment-page-5/#comment-3863243 muckdog Sun, 17 Jun 2007 18:11:41 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/#comment-3863243 As long as you're willing to pay another $2000 a month in taxes, you can have free health care. Of course, you'll have to wait 6-8 months to get an appointment, and Lord help you if you need something other than an antibiotic. And after a certain age they'll refuse to treat you and just send you home, since your life is about over anyways. As long as you’re willing to pay another $2000 a month in taxes, you can have free health care.

Of course, you’ll have to wait 6-8 months to get an appointment, and Lord help you if you need something other than an antibiotic. And after a certain age they’ll refuse to treat you and just send you home, since your life is about over anyways.

]]> By: Donna http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/comment-page-5/#comment-3863160 Donna Sun, 17 Jun 2007 17:09:28 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/#comment-3863160 I grew up in Australia and didnt ever think about health care costs and received good care. I moved to the USA 10 years ago and am now a dual citizen and received sticker shock by the fact I had to pay for health care and fight my company to receive tests that proved necessary. It was scary and confusing, especially when you are sick. Most people go bankrupt over medical costs. 50% of all involve health care costs. I think this debate should move from the personal to all Americans coming together to bring universal health to this country and I know this country could do it better than any one else if they just tried. I grew up in Australia and didnt ever think about health care costs and received good care. I moved to the USA 10 years ago and am now a dual citizen and received sticker shock by the fact I had to pay for health care and fight my company to receive tests that proved necessary. It was scary and confusing, especially when you are sick.

Most people go bankrupt over medical costs. 50% of all involve health care costs. I think this debate should move from the personal to all Americans coming together to bring universal health to this country and I know this country could do it better than any one else if they just tried.

]]> By: Benedict@Large http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/comment-page-5/#comment-3863124 Benedict@Large Sun, 17 Jun 2007 16:39:37 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/#comment-3863124 Michael Moore has ended the healthcare debate in this country with this, by far his best, film. The line in the sand is drawn. To borrow a phrase, you are either with us or against us. Michael Moore has ended the healthcare debate in this country with this, by far his best, film. The line in the sand is drawn. To borrow a phrase, you are either with us or against us.

]]> By: m12 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/comment-page-5/#comment-3863020 m12 Sun, 17 Jun 2007 15:13:59 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/#comment-3863020 <i>Yes, because a huge amount of what they sell is made by cheap Chinese labor. And because they don’t pay decent wages. And because they force the few U.S. manufacturers that they buy from to sell their products to Walmart at little above cost, which reduces profit, therefore decent wages and benefits for the manufacturers’ employees, etc., etc., the list goes on an on. Yeah, the reason is GREED, dickweed.</i> If you say so. Good for them! Walmart is a great place to shop and a great investment to own. Yes, because a huge amount of what they sell is made by cheap Chinese labor. And because they don’t pay decent wages. And because they force the few U.S. manufacturers that they buy from to sell their products to Walmart at little above cost, which reduces profit, therefore decent wages and benefits for the manufacturers’ employees, etc., etc., the list goes on an on. Yeah, the reason is GREED, dickweed.

If you say so. Good for them!

Walmart is a great place to shop and a great investment to own.

]]> By: Troll http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/comment-page-5/#comment-3862956 Troll Sun, 17 Jun 2007 11:45:51 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/06/16/michael-moore-talks-health-care-crisis-with-oprah/#comment-3862956 In light of the failures of the present congress I think only a fool would trust the government to manage the entire health care system. In light of the failures of the present congress I think only a fool would trust the government to manage the entire health care system.

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