Retired Steelworker: Everyone Should See 'SiCKO'

[crystalsaete]

My dad is a steel worker. This makes me sad. I cant let this happen to my dad too.

[anaklabu]

I was a Malaysian student in UK, I was hospitalized there for 2 weeks, everything is free, thank god I went to UK to study not the USA, so for that reason I luv the Brits though they colonized us before. Thats how American should do to spread its hegemony, not through senseless war.

[4nola27]

John McCain will tax the health insurance that your employer provides to you, that will be really expensive for working class, middle class people. McCain has always protected the rich, white collar wall street criminals even before the Keating 5 Scandal that he was part of when he protected Charles Keating. Do you really want to pay income tax on your health insurance from your employer?????????? I don't

[4everkeim]

I never seen the movie, what makes it scary Andrewskate22

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[NemotheRed]

i prefer pay more taxes and having the insurance i will NEVER be abbandoned by the health care system, that pay less taxes and live in america... BTW im Swiss and I pay almost half of my pay in taxes, but i have a fucking working social system.

[Ventorez]

@NemotheRed wanna know the irony? Alot of americans already pay comparable rates in taxes lol where is it all going not social programs

[MachinimaTheatre]

In medication. The comment below me. In hospitals they give you money but you don't pay for anything in Britian.

[MachinimaTheatre]

I live in Britian, they GIVE you money and everthing is free.

[andrewskate22]

SICKO was scary!! im glad i live in canada....

[patrick25w]

I live in europe (Austria) I never paid a cent for medications too !

[davesglass]

you paid it in taxes or someone else did

[roeliox]

so? The important thing is that he doesn't have to worry about his medical bills.

[davesglass]

Why is it up to the tax payers to pay for medical bills.I do not have healh insurance. My largest bill I pay is taxes. I Barley get by. If i get sick and have medical issues and see a docter i pay for it.

[goat414]

it is easier to pay 2-3 dollars a month, than 60 000 dollars at once.

[mysackyoulick]

go back to school and pay attention this time

[JeSuisLeCrunk]

Davesglass, if you found out tomorrow that you have a brain tumor, and surgery to remove it it going to cost $200,000 are you so sure that you want to just pay for you're own problems? everybody should be able to contribute a little bit, so that if that ever does happen, you'll be taken care of, I wouldn't mind paying part of my income every month so that people like you, or my neighbor, or my teachers, or even the crazy down the street can have some health care. Look at france, or watch SiCKO.

[durruti1936]

Here in Britain we have had the National Health Service since 1948. As I get older I may worry about my health but luckily the financial side of it isn't an issue to cause extra stress. Many people here in Britain sometimes like to complain about minor issues just to pass the time, start a conversation or whatever (our stupid deference to US foreign policy excepted) but an hour wait to see a doctor is no great inconvenience in reality.

[DonTabrizi]

I'm from France, and I don't pay one cent! I don't even have a job now...but I can always count on my healthcare. Don't think in how you are surviving, see to the man next to ya. Cuz like it or not you're living in a social enviroment and if you stay ignorant to the one's who have less than you, they will hit you back very hard. Robbery, maybe kill, act of terrorism all because of money or hate ( of not having ).

[johnebii]

I pay $4400 dollars a year in o/o pocket and ins premiums. This year alone ins. co's paid over $500K in medical bills for my wife. Insurance companies not so bad in my book.

[cleo1994]

Here is an idea: When Sicko is avaiable on DVD you should buy 1 copy, invite your family and friends, watch the film together, and discuss what you have seen. Make up your own mind. If you feel any need for more info: do your own reseach by using reliable sources. If you want to know more how European/Canadian/Australian healthcare works; go direct to the source and search in that country's official website, or write them a letter. Systems are made by the people, it can change by the people.

[cleo1994]

As a european I hold no personal interest by supporting Michael Moore. The majority of Europeans look at MM as an important filmmaker, and we respect him deeply for his effords to make changes in the US. Millions of us have seen his films as their were shown on TV and at the movies. After the showing of the film during the Cannes filmfestival (France) MM was given standing ovasion. I find it disgusting that so many try to riddicule him.

[johnebii]

cleo do you think the countries will tell you the truth? People die waiting for procedures of there and then they say that their rate of recovery from diagnosed cases is better than other countries. The people DIE BEFORE THEY ARE EVEN DIAGNOSED but somehow this is considered a better record. Go to my videos on the Benefits of Capitalism in the health care industry for the truth.

[cleo1994]

Yes, I know that I can trust our healthcare. I speak of personal experience. Where do you get your info from? I live here, and so are my friends and family. We should know better than you, don't you think?

[KingOfBergenCounty]

My wife's grandfather and uncle both served in WW2 and passed on recently... neither of them had medical insurance. It's disgusting that they can be treated with such dishonor by the medical insurance industry.

People in this country wonder about terrorism - how about medical terrorism? If this country had it's damn priorities right then no American would go in need of medical care.

[bkdook]

randallchilds: I am not defending the system. I am saying that whether he intended it or not(probably not) he was being disingenuous at the rally by bashing a system that has actually provides him with (EXCELLENT)coverage. This is from him not me. Please watch the interview with Chris Mathews.

[bkdook]

randallchilds: what part of him saying he had excellent health insurance through Medicare. Not ok , not mediocre but excellent! He also said his wife is eight years away from retirement age. I am 28 years from retirement/eligibility for Medicare. Should the government pay for me as well?

[randallchilds]

and another thing, bkdook, "we" don't need to "pay more" to cover Mrs. Skvara, every country with a national health program pays dramatically less per capita on health care than Americans do! All the money going to profits, and the insurance company bureaucracy designed to keep those profits rolling in is the true waste of all of our money.

[randallchilds]

more on bkdook's dogmatic stupidity: in all of your posts blindly defending the system, you are inadvertently heaping praise on the one part of the US health care system (Medicare) that most closely resembles national single-payer health care! And the same insurance company funded politicians who are thwarting single-payer have been chipping away at Medicare's funding for years...

[randallchilds]

bkdook, you are being an ass, his comments have specifically addressed the fact that the coverage he had for his FAMILY disappeared (along with 1/3 of his pension) after his former employer went bankrupt. You are so ideologically driven to say "the system works" that you have blinded yourself to this simple fact.

[bkdook]

Thats not what your dad said, he said he wanted National health care. It is in the interview. We now find out that he is actually a model for how well our system works and how lucky we are to live in a society that adds protections for those with special circumstances. We are already paying for his care why do we need to opay even more.

[FattKidd]

Yes, Nat'l Health INSURANCE like Medicare which is extremely efficient (3% overhead) and you can go to ANY doctor you like. People like you seem to confuse health INSURANCE with HEALTHCARE PROVIDER. Universal SINGLE PAYER Healthcare is about eliminating all the red tape insurance cos pile up while trying to find a way NOT to pay for your health care. Univ Health reduces it to one payer who can use the buying power of 290 million people to negotiate lower cost with 30% less overhead.

[bkdook]

To all posters that think I am being an ass, please watch his hardball interview where he admits he is being well cared for by Medicare. He did not mention this at the debate. Please ask yourself if he is already being taken care of , in his own words excellently by Medicare , a program specifically for people who encounter hardships and misfortunes. Why is he being interviewed. It seems like his very situation proves that we already have a pretty good system.

[zzvmp1982]

The only thig my dad wants is for poeple to start talking about how the average american can not afford health care and that our nation is headed in the wrong direction. Therefore he has accomplished that. I realize I am going to run into people who think my dad is a phony. At least he is trying to make a difference in what he believes in. There is no such thing as free health care we would all pay for it with taxes.

[FattKidd]

You are an ass. He said he is covered by Medicare but his wife, who works and is not old enough, is not eligible. Her employer obviously does not offer it which is the way most companies are going to go within the next 10 yrs. He lost 1/3 of his pension so he can't afford private ins. What the FUCK part of that don't you understand?

[bkdook]

zzvmp1982: I have seen his hardball interview and he and almost all of these posters are talking about Nationalised / Free health care. He admitted that Medicare takes excellent care of him, but he would like it to take care of his wife even though she is still of working age. Now your are being phony. He is already being taken care of by Medicare , yet thats not enough for him. He still wants more of other peoples money. What a hero.

[bkdook]

zzvmp1982; He certainly implied that he could not insure himself or his wife. He never once mentioned that the government actually has many programs for people in his position and as far as never asking for anything it is apparent that he thinks the rest of the country should pay for him and her. Nothing against your dad he is in a tough position, but the truth is the truth.

[zzvmp1982]

How about this before you talk crap about someone you get the facts. Check out all his interviews. As his son I know the facts. Put your foot in your mouth some more. I will sit back and laugh. He never said we sould have free health care.

[FattKidd]

Hey dude, my dad went thru the same shit... 30yrs in a steel mill in Western PA, giving PAY concessions, giving up benefits while risking his LIFE and HEALTH to do so on the promise he and my mom would be taken care of at retirement only to have the SOB Victor Posner milk every fucking dime from the place, running it into the ground, with the full intention of shutting the place down when he couldn't milk it any more, filing for bankruptcy and walking away with millions.

[Natalie923]

Thanks for the post Mike. Things are changing now.

My daughter deserves a future, and she may have one now thanks you and the millions that are now standing up and making their voices heard!

[zzvmp1982]

Phony my ass. He never asked for anything. He never said he does not have ins. He is simply saying the government does nothing to help the American public when a company goes under. Remember Enron!!! Steve Skvara is my father and I am proud of him. Ask how he was disabled (bkdook) and when you find out it was nothing he could prevent. He has always been responsible ass.

[SkipW]

Steve Skvara is the MAN for standing up to the task, and kicking some @ss! Wake up sheeple or this kind of crap will hit you too! @ to zzvmp1982 your dad has my vote for the man of the year! right on he said what we all have been wondering THANKS Steve Skvara

[bkdook]

peacelf) These are all responsibilities we all have and if we don't take them seriously we will end up in the same boat as him. It is not my fault he does not have the insurance he believes he is owed. He most definitely is not owed this insurance by me,you or the government. I am sure at his age with his disability that he is eligible for many Federal and State programs. Considering that he is eligible for medicare etc.

isn't he being a bit of a phony?

[FattKidd]

So, you work your whole life for a company, risk your life on a daily basis in the steel industry making the steel that enabled the US to win WWII, expecting that company to honor its promise to provide a pension and health benefits when you retire, then some jackass runs the company into the ground and leaves you high and dry and somehow that's your fault? You are fucking idiot.

[bkdook]

I have seen the error of my ways. I am dropping my auto,health and homeowners insurance tomorrow. It is unfair that I have to save and scrimp to pay for these. I should get it for free. I know my health care, auto and my house are my responsibility, but I have had special circumstances in my life that now keep me from taking responsibility for myself. Please forward my checks as you all seem willing to pay for my needs. I can't tell you how grateful I am.

[peacelf]

bkdook, okay, I'll bite on your bait: If you put you house, car and health in the same category, then you must have little regard for life. Although I think all insurance companies are rip offs, especially since they made auto insurance a law, nobody is saying they all should be paid for by a universal system. If you think that that's the logical next step, then you're just being silly.

[zzvmp1982]

You are an ass I hope you get disabled the same way he did and the company you work for goes under and you lose your pension or 401k and the when you think it can not get worse, you get Diabeties. let see if you can afford ins on your own. Once this all happens then we can talk untill then, nobody asked for you one sence!!

[SuperPais]

bkdook : geeez. Of course its your responsibility.

But you are sooo macho, inteligent, smart. Nothing will happen to you lol.

But, if your company gets out of market, and the next days you have an accident, I will see you cry like a baby.

No Job, disabled, no health-care.

That happen, you know?

Its called "homeless"

And if you get divorced, you lose your car, your home, Money, and your kids.

See " Where I stand: feminism and the men's movement " 4 REAL stories .

[bkdook]

What a big phony, loser, crybaby. He is old enough to qualify for Medicare, so what is his problem. My mother in law is on it and she has not had a single denial or problem. I guess if he had saved some of his money over the last thirty five years he would not be such a whiny little broke ass bitch. Wake up you wieners nothing in life is free, just because you don't want to pay your own way does not mean I have to pay for you.

[thedrax]

So, you're basing your whole opinion of a National system on your mother in law? Very thorough. Ya know, it's too bad money can't buy intelligence cuz you'd probably be fuckin' Einstein, am I right?

[pbilger]

Your a true Rep--we Americans aren't going to stay by and watch you tear down American any longer. National Health care will get a Dem in Office and it will came to pass. They is nothing you can do about it. You can opt out of it and pay your 6,000 a year for bad health care--But most Americans know our healthcare system is broken.

[shaire99]

Did your mother have any children that Lived?

[BigDeanoSyd]

Yes thats right a hard ass, selfish, I'm alright Jack so 'Fuck You' attitude is what makes America great! Man I'm glad I don't live in your hell-hole of a country!

[FattKidd]

He was talking about his wife who is not old enough to qualify for Medicare you jackass. Save money? HA! Only the rich can afford to save money. The American people as a whole are in the NEGATIVE when it comes to savings. Plus, the guy lost 1/3 of his pension 'cause some corporate thief decided to run the mills into the ground then file for bankruptcy protection. Fool.

[roachmobile]

eekdog2005: We pay for healthcare through taxes. The same way we are going to pay for the occupation of Iraq.

[eekdog2005]

How do we pay for universal healthcare? Hello? any answers? Probably not. but it's free so it must be good, right? NOT!

[jacqofhearts]

You don't have to look far in the developed world to figure out how fund universal healthcare. You'll also find the AVERAGE person receives better healthcare in these countries - the rich can still pay for better care if they choose to.

[thedrax]

Since you asked. HR 676 would, if passed, be funded by..1. Vastly reducing paperwork. 2. Requiring a National bulk procurement of medications. 3. From existing sources of Federal Gov. revenues for health care. 4. By increasing personal income taxes of the top 5%(the filthy rich). 5.Modest payroll tax. 6.Small tax on stock & bond trades. ok.

[FattKidd]

Take HALF the money you and your employer are already paying for it and it would more than cover the cost.

[vainprop]

a working class hero is something to be

[kinder16]

I just graduated from university, I also lost my parent's health insurance coverage. My dad is paying for it until I find a job. 300$ a month is a lot of money. We need national health insurance here.

[bigbigboy16]

thank you moore

[tallie84]

I saw sicko yesterday in australia. brilliant.

[videojay]

I love that it is nearly impossible to make any sort of partisan comment on this video. Illness is universal. Thusly, healthcare should be universal.

Do taxes need to be raised to cover health care? I don't care! Raise 'em. Just let us stop living in debt and fear for someone else's profit.

[FattKidd]

I believe the cost, the amount taken out of your paycheck, would be less than it is now. We pay twice as much as the next highest cost country. The gov't, hence the buying power of the entire country, could negotiate lower prices and the health ind would have to accept it, they'd have no choice. We'll pay less, and not have to worry about it any more.

[corruptcrew]

This country needs universal health care!

[novembrine1]

Sicko rules!!!

[Sheatwole]

I love how John Edwards raises his hands and applauds. Does he not realize that he is one of many, many trial lawyers who share the responsibility of making health care nearly unattainable for the common worker. By suing the health care systems and making millions upon millions of dollars from lawsuits, he helped jack up the prices of health care. Does he not realize that he is mainly responsible, or is he hoping that no one will remember that?

[FattKidd]

That's just not true. You're repeating an insurance/medical industry talking point. According to the NIH and the GAO, med malpractice claims & mlprctce ins account for less than 2% of healthcare costs. Mlprctce suits have been steadily dropping the last 10yrs &, a small % of doctors have been responsible for most of claims. The Dr. the stood next to Bush when he signed tort reform law had been sued more than 10 times. Also, Dr.s who repeatedly make mistakes continue to practice med.

[Revocane]

I feel you, man. It's tough to erven live being worried that you can't afford to take care of yourself. It's crazy.

[BlueTunisia]

UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE!!

[nauiocelotl]

the republiacn chicken hawks should be ashamed , but of course also the demoCRACKS !

[CrucieFiction]

I have his excellent interview by Chris Matthews on my channel.

[schrankage]

He was interviewed by Chris Matthews as well. Why do I get the feeling the corporate strangle hold on debate and political influence is starting to change? Thanks Michael Moore, and thank you Internet.

[spsigvee]

if the u.s. people want change then you must make yourself heard, get behind michaels campaign and make the politicians here you, phone, write and protest until they can ignore you no longer!

[lenaw70]

Dennis Kucinich and HR 676!

[BlackKnight03]

It's the best plan, god knows what the Insurance Companies and lobbists are cooking up to sink it.

[abbyroadme]

I saw that guy during the debate and it broke my heart. It just wrong that it's 2007 and people have problems like this.

BTW, I saw sicko and came out with tears in my eyes....Michael Moore...brilliant job again!

[MasterNemesis102]

When they say America has lost all it's heros, men like Michael Moore, arise. Heros support the weakest in society, and that's what Moore does despite the slanderings of the strongest.

The courage of Mr. Skvara, and Mr. Moore will help America become right.

[XGreyViews]

Yes EVERYONE should see Sicko among many other films that people should see. STOP WATCHING ONLY MAIN STREAM MEDIA! Open your eyes people for once in your lives!

[plzhelpj]

ditto

[nocondition]

1st