Health Insurance Whistleblower Details How the Industry Attacked Michael Moore's 'SiCKO'

[Scallopshell98]

Nixon is burning in hell now.

[sadathusain]

0 dislikes. HELL YEAH!

[tasintsar]

Interesting Sicko trailer...check out 2:45 where Mr. Moore is saying how pathetic US health care is, being just ahead of Slovenia. Pause it, and look at what's just worse than Slovenia. Why, it's Cuba! Mr. Moore, if Cuba has shittier health care than the US, why would you want people to equate Cuban health care to better health care?

[beduin024]

@tasintsar

Cuba is a poor third world nation. The fact that they are listed among with the developed countries shows that their healthcare system is not that bad.

[tasintsar]

@beduin024

"Not that bad" != better than American when it's further down the list, regardless of what Moore would like you to believe.

[saddemgargouri]

@tasintsar first of all cuba is ranked 39 th and USA 37 , yes cuba is worst than USA , but cuba as a third world poor country is doing a lot better than USA , the biggest economy in the world . That's because the dictator Castro had a nice health care plan , actually cuba is one of the best countries in the world in preventive medicine , that's how it manage to get actually excellent result for low investment in health care

[Trickndel]

This is the definition of the cancer stage of capitalism. Everything single corporation within a free market has a gravitation towards self-preservation, cartels and monopolies.

When you put health into a profit structure you put a price tag on human beings. This is the most inhumane system ever to be invented and it only serve the richest pockets. I can't understand how Americans can accept this shit playing out every single day. Wake the fuck up, and stop labeling everything socialism

[monde333]

@Trickndel Capitalism is good, corporatism is bad: that choice capitalism offers to customers is gone. We see hundreds of companies owned by a single metacorp, sometimes an unknown one, which means complaints are never heard. Corporatism = Inverse Communism! Communism is the State owning the means of production. Corporatism is the means of production owning the State. It's like an evil sock: either way you turn it inside out or outside in, it's the same shape.

[usuariofuturista]

@monde333

Communism is the workers owning the means of production. What you describe is just a totalitarian state.

I coincider myself a communist. But why dont we do this: I tone down my dogmas and you tone down yours.

The problem here is when Others take the decisions. Experts, leaders, whatever. You think the utopia of "true capitalism" will fix that. I think "true communism" will. So in the end we are not so different, there is a lot to do together! Sorry for messing in your conversation!

[monde333]

@usuariofuturista Apology unnecessary; convo should be free to disagree. Just wanted to clarify: re 'utopia of capitalism', my beliefs are really closer to socialism. I only try to balance this w/ reality. I live in the USA and corporatist media has made 'socialism' equal to 'satanism', and even saying I'm a liberal in some circles equates to admitting "I abuse children" or some similar abomination. I should've said "some aspects of capitalism are good", since some are not!

[1LaOriental]

@monde333 Unfortunately, capitalism leads to corporatism. It is the belief in unlimited growth which is ultimately unsustainable and maximization of profit above the needs of people among other things, which makes capitalism unable to provide a high quality existence for so many.

[monde333]

@1LaOriental You are right; read my reply above to usariofuturista...I'm really more of a socialist than a capitalist; I only try to deal with the reality that most people in the USA where I live would consider socialism about the same level of Being Evil as molesting kids...and the old-fashioned capitalism I referred to is long over and gone. I agree w/ you - corporatism IS extreme capitalism. WE NEED REGULATED BUSINESS, not a handful of 1%-er trillion- and billionaires ruling us.

[1LaOriental]

@monde333 Thanks for your reply. I live in the US also and agree with the equation you make about how US feels about socialism. I believe we need smaller, democratically run local businesses as a start, with human needs being the driving force, not private profit.

[musicalidea]

Wendel Potter is a hero. He proves the most ironic law of public immunity that the shadow elite have realized for years & silently feared: if the farcical illusion of a "free & democratic society" is to b maintained, the most high-profile critics of the regime must be granted camera access & kept out of jail. Hence Jullian Assange is still technically not in jail & still alive. Alex Jones, Michael Moore & Chris Hedges r at large. However, this does little to translate their sirens into action.

[zev007]

Proud to be Canadian!

[Ashphodelic]

Be afraid, be very afraid... the truth is coming your way, like an unstoppable train... the truth is we are all humans together on a small planet, and yet most can't see beyond the end of their nose.

Socialism is the natural way of being... it's not a political movement, it is human to take care of members of the tribe who find they are incapable or disabled from doing so for themselves...

America and UK would rather those people disappeared... the UK is heading in the same direction, greed!

[merengueardiente]

i really don't understand, in Europe they talk , just talk about doing a little change to health care system, and half of the country go to the street to protest, here they said, we going to change medicaid ruling which affected old people , retired people who lived in limited income, and nobody say nothing, is like nothing had happen, here everybody takes everything for granted. wow! i think is time for people to wake up

[Lapeth1]

I feel sorry for you guys, who have to live in a country where so many people lump this issue, along with many other issues, into the "big scary socialism bin" and use that label to scare people off of something you really need as a society.

I guess they'd diss "socialized police", "socialized firefighters", "socialized schools" etc. if those things had that label. Why not just call it "regular medicine" or "non-greedy medicine"?

[1LaOriental]

@Lapeth1 Thank you for speaking the truth about "big, scary socialism" They have cleverly and of course very deliberately brainwashed people in the US to be terrified of a word which they know little if anything, about. Fortunately, cold, hard reality and the Occupy movements are helping to change that! Peace.

[Mediumchild]

"thats not on right?"

"no."

hahahaha so great

[PinkThinkingCat]

Validation of the truth or what!

[danger0usknowledge]

HCR as socialism Op-ed, editorial, WSJ, Fox "News", Rush, Beck, Levin all going crazy condemning HRC. "Grass roots" violent demonstrations to "protect ah democracy" against the commie hordes. Obama & TSA are pretty sure there will be another attempted terror attack in 2010. In 08 republicans blocked Obama's appointee for TSA knowing there would be an attack during Obama's 1st yr. The Christmas bomber failed BUT the RNC are looking 4 their Xtmas wish this yr & they are not joking.

[danger0usknowledge]

@danger0usknowledge That's 2009 jerk!

[bigpimpn2k7]

WOW UNBELIEVABLE!!! WHY DO WE AMERICANS PUT UP WITH THIS SIN!!?

[DojoNDude]

@bigpimpn2k7

All we gotta do is organize, bro. The communication infrastructures already in place. Yeah, there's a few backwards Americans who don't get it, but they'll usually join any large populist movement. Lots of propaganda keeping people stupid and lots of distractions for young undisciplined minds, but if we kept our eye on the ball, we could win the game.

[Taobert]

But in all honesty where are the armed vigilantes when u need them? Can't we make a deck of cards, each one featuring a CEO or exec of these insurance companies and hand them out?

[RedStar2fly]

There is something fishy about MM. Why is he even allowed or not harassed by the powers that be to make these videos? shouldn't Hollywood deter him from coming to their events? I can't believe he's even been able to get this far!

[Taobert]

@RedStar2fly How dare MM! How dare he, We should all suck up to the daddy figures and powers that be to deter some peasant from raising a raucass over an unjust system!

[demmmmm1]

@RedStar2fly You wouldn't be advocating the removal of our freedom of speech, would you? And, what "powers that be?" Movie producers?

And, what's so wrong about exposing a corrupt health care system? As for me, I'm tired of people in the right-wing claiming that there are no problems in our system. Republicans have no concern over the issue, as long as big insurance is doing well. In 2000, our system was ranked #27 in the world. Why? Greed.

[Fig1024]

Insurance as a concept is inherently socialist. Insurance works by getting a collective of people to put money in a common pool, and then certain people who need it get money from that pool. If you really hate socialist ideas, you should also be against all forms of insurance. Of course that would be silly, which goes to show that fear of all things socialist is silly.

[Taobert]

@Fig1024 except that insurance companies would be required to pay. As it stands now, why spoil a good thing denying people and making a 3 billion annual profit? I just got denied from my insurer for getting my ingrown toe-nail removed for a pre-existing condition even though I was insured for 3 years. Thanks BlueCross BlueShield of Tennesee, I got your back to! It's called 3 uhauls full of diesel fuel and ferilizer. I kid I kid!

[pilate10]

@Fig1024 Well said! Thanks for the insight.

[Dean0000007]

@Fig1024 So if we apply your logic of collective to insurance as being socialist, we can also surely apply a business which works with many people as being a collective for collective profit of the company. Therefor, having a business with many people is also socialist. How the profit is divided up is however capitalist because it isn't for the collective, but is dictated by the top management.... hold on that's socialism too isn't it?? LOL

[EmeterioBetances]

Another example of PR firms working with big corporations to hide there realities. PR firms from Likud Party in Israel and there campaign on News Media, and also the PR firms on there influence on the Health care system. Fucking bastards. People should start destroying these PR Firms who back the Zionist agenda and the this health care system.

[no1saphead]

MM should post the best clips from sicko on facebook and youtube ,I live in Utah and not many want to even look at it.

[pistolpete667]

im glad mickael moore puts these fuckers on blast.

[BeveledSpilchOnion]

It's interesting to note how prevalent the use of the term 'Marxism' became with respect to this issue. Money talks.

[maxine2win]

Michael Moore is an evil little shit. Anyone who is a true progressive should reject this toad

[supraboytt]

I knew there was something fishy about that Sanjay Gupta interview.....

[FriedDaisy]

10% of the population owns 85% of the wealth while the poorest, 50%, eeks by on 1%; and the exploited middle/working class-- those who do all the real work-- who make up the remaining 40% of the population are "granted" by the corporations who OWN their employment a mere 14%, taxed at 55% (all taxes combined) for all their toil and trouble. If workers were given their due, the greedy corporatists who live like kings & queens amongst us will fall. Some will even go to prison.

[venuecam]

"Coprorate Healthcare"

"Govt Healthcare"

"Privatised Healthcare"

LOL

[swordofisis]

It's funny how in Europe they consider it DEMOCRACY!

[illuminaz1]

@swordofisis dont talk down to the european system if you dont know anything about it. in europe we dont have insurance companies. we cut out the middle men and no one can be turned away. its very cheap and effective. ALL are covered. not like america where the cost is the MOST expencive in the world and 30 million`s dont have any form of healthcare.

[swordofisis]

@illuminaz1 perhaps you should learn how to read english, perhaps? did i say anything about insurance companies? 

[illuminaz1]

@swordofisis no but you said it was funny how we in euroe consider it as democrasy, you think universal healthcare is evil ? that we care of everybody ?

[swordofisis]

@illuminaz1 uhm, no actually i agree. why are you so defensive that you see negativity where none exists? I was implying that those who call it "socialist" are ignorant. or more percisely, are manipulating the ignorant through typical fear tactics imployed since the days of "the communist scare." its the same thing.. that for over 70 years people can just point and say communist and people freak out.

[illuminaz1]

@swordofisis i understand wry people are afraid of change if they never have know anything else but we have had this system for 50 years and we are glad about it. we cant believe our own eyes when we see whats going on in america. i got a little angry because i talked to other american`s and they cant see the problem. they think europe is a shithole, many americans think we are some kind of disease, evil socialist. but hitler is long dead and alot have changed.

[swordofisis]

@illuminaz1 so what do i have to do to immigrate to denmark?

[illuminaz1]

@swordofisis All Danes have a personal number, called a CPR number. This is a personal ID number which is used by education institutions and all public organisations (e.g. the health care system, etc). International students, teachers, etc. therefore are required to obtain a CPR-number. A CPR-number can be obtained by contacting the civil registration office ( Folkeregisteret ) in your local council. Please take your residence permit and an ID card, e.g. your passport, with you.

[illuminaz1]

@swordofisis watch

watch?v=C7NEr1XPFfo

[illuminaz1]

@swordofisis In order to be granted a residence permit under the greencard scheme, you must attain a minimum of 100 points. Points are given for: educational level, language skills, work experience, adaptability, and age.

You must have full health insurance covering you and any accompanying family members until you are covered by the Danish National Health Insurance.

You must document that you are able to support yourself during your first year in Denmark. hope this helps

[swordofisis]

@illuminaz1 what good would health insurance from the US be in Denmark? "document of ability to support self for a year.." that means money, right? how much money?

[swordofisis]

@illuminaz1 what do i have to do to move to and permanently reside in denmark?

[illuminaz1]

@swordofisis if you want to live in denmark then you much know its hard to get citisenship. we have a point system now that says people over 24 needs 60 poins to get citisenship. if you have a education you get like 20 points. the more language you have also gives points etc etc. if you are under 24 you must have 120 poins. we made this law because many muslims came and was not working. they stayed home while getting unemplyment money.

[swordofisis]

@illuminaz1 yeah, they also automatically get representation in parliment based on population. do other EU countries have similar points systems? Im considering the Republic of Ireland also. Im over 30, and about to have a dual degree in psychology and history(western civ). took spanish in college but not really "fluent." 

[illuminaz1]

@swordofisis you sound to me as well qualified, sweden has that point system to. denmark, sweden, norway, england, germany has good healthcare systems. the minimum amount for being self sufficient is 4.200 DK = 785 dollars per month. dont know how the us insurance would be in Denmark

[swordofisis]

@illuminaz1 just have to work on those funds! serving the US military left me unable to work for several years and going to college full time doesnt leave much room for anything besides living expenses.

[illuminaz1]

@swordofisis there are so many rules mates but also loopholes. when are you done with your education ? type resident permit denmark. there is alot more information that can help you. but maybe you can finish your education in denmark ? education in denmark is free, in denmark you get money if you study. you get about 800 dollars per month. then you could study and pay for your expenditure. but dont know if it also are for non eu members. write again if i can help you with something

[swordofisis]

@illuminaz1 that is cool too. I should graduate next semester. but i might have a class or 2 to wrap up the following semester... I havent been in a big hurry to graduate because im fearful of the current job market. i could graduate next semester if i really wanted... I wonder if i could hop over there and get into a graduate program? continuing education is a necessity after all!

[illuminaz1]

@swordofisis it should be possible mate. have you checked on google ?

[illuminaz1]

@swordofisis type resident permit denmark on google.

[illuminaz1]

@swordofisis but if you get citisenship in any eu country you can choose to live and work where ever you want in hole of eu

[swordofisis]

@illuminaz1 now that is cool.

[illuminaz1]

@swordofisis The free movement of persons is a fundamental right guaranteed to European Union (EU) citizens by the Treaties. It is realised through the area of freedom, security and justice without internal borders. Lifting internal borders requires strengthened management of the Union’s external borders as well as regulated entry and residence of non-EU nationals, including through a common asylum and immigration policy.

[illuminaz1]

@swordofisis The concept of free movement of persons came about with the signing of the Schengen Agreement in 1985 and the subsequent Schengen Convention in 1990, which initiated the abolition of border controls between participating countries. Being part of the EU legal and institutional framework, Schengen cooperation has gradually been extended to include most EU Member States as well as some non-EU countries.

[illuminaz1]

@swordofisis If you are not a Nordic or EU/EEA citizen, you need to get a residence permit and maybe also a visa before entering Denmark. You should apply for the residence permit at the Danish Embassy or Consulate in your home country after you have been accepted for admission at the educational institution. You must be able to provide documentation that you can pay all the costs related to your stay. The application for a residence permit is also an application for a work permit

[illuminaz1]

@swordofisis but if you are in denmark and get sick you cant be turned away no matter what. if they did they would go to jail

[illuminaz1]

@swordofisis You will also need to bring proof of your address in Denmark. The CPR number will then be sent to you within approxiomately seven days.

In order to obtain a national (Danish) health service card ( Sygesikringsbevis ), you have to present the documents that you brought from your home country, please refer to "health insurance" for further information. You will automatically receive the Danish health security card by in the post.

[Roushfan5]

"We need a system where everyone is covered, is that is socialism so be it."

Well said.

[venuecam]

@Roushfan5 We need to educate ourselves to not rely on overpriced and corporate run medicine. The system has been put in place to cover us from US constantly abusing our bodies - dangerous activity, neglecting our health/nervous systems. working too much, sleeping too much, etc etc.

If you take a microscopic look at big healthcare it has been put here to harm us not help us. Educate yourself and seek natural remedies in both medicine and prevention :D

[Roushfan5]

@venuecam Everyone should have access to any kind of care they want, natural or otherwise.

[thebigstir]

As Canadians, we are amazed the amount of brainwashing that has been dished to the US public-- we can't fathom having to pay for surgery... even though we are quickly being pushed into the private health care foray - a step backwards.

Greed takes many forms.

[55ella2007k]

There is nothing wrong with Michael Moore advocating for a different position than what the health-care industry promotes on a massive scale, with billions of dollars, every single day. People should take a very close look at this industry, and then compare it with the dollars that Moore makes. Side by side, this comparison is ludicrous to start with, and the insurance/investment banksters did everything they could to silence Moore, no matter what tactics they had employ.

[55ella2007k]

@55ella2007k Michael is a bit naive when it come to politics, but I support his efforts nevertheless. I saw his earliest films, now totally forgotten, which were always in favor of working people, but suppressed from the start. Way before the Enron Scandal, Moore saw it coming, and pointed it out. At that point, many commercial stations, especially in Houston, cancelled his program right off the bat. I remember those shows + they were brilliant, full of satire and truth.

[saxmanchiro]

It's not insurance, it's called 'Unsurance'.

[swami24u]

this country is in big trouble , I have never seen this many people out of work, this many foreclosures , this many with no health insurance. and everything is made in CHINA!

[nikalina777]

Amazing irony with Andy Harris. Totally disgusting.

[sagemakaiserxl]

Stop calling them whistle blowers. Call them people with Integrity. Call them people who chose to be human beings and not monsters.

[Taobert]

@sagemakaiserxl Because whistle blowers is a pejorative, it might be an interesting project to find out who coined that term *cough* the corporations is my guess.

[pezdrake]

@sagemakaiserxl "whistle blowers" is a term of respect, and a flattering label. Someone who stands up and reveals waste and corruption. Don't buy into the bunk that makes that term a bad thing. The right wing has already redefined enough of the language in their favor.

[SOLIDSNAKEXXX360]

all the countries should just obliterate US, the world wil be a better place

[ncrdisabled]

I am disabled and on Medicare it is a shame that we pay so much for deductibles

and copay if they give everybody Medicare maybe the costs would go down and stop the co pays we pay every month

[flyingfishdreams]

Yay !  MORE Michael Moore

[Boomer1949]

Thanks for re-posting this most important interview. We know the dick wades in Washington think they are all doing us a big ass service by trying to repeal the Health Care bill, when in fact they are doing the insurance co bidding, as they have done for a very long time. I don't know what it will take to start a populous movement from the stand point of serving the people and not corporate but we better before we all end up dead and dead broke.

[moestietabarnak]

@Boomer1949 I hope they do repeal it, then get wipeout in 2012, then maybe the dems would make a real bill with public option (or *dreaming* single-payer) and price control where everyone covered.

[DisturbedInOhio]

@moestietabarnak I agree, however, until "We The People's" health is not deemed an entitlement by Republicans, we will continue to suffer. They want to eliminate S.S., which we all pay into, and raise the retirement age to 70. Sadly, without republicans finishing off this country, the people may not wake up. I thought, me being naive, we were headed in the right direction. But, seeing how cons want to eliminate the deficit by adding a trillion to it in tax cuts for the rich, we are doomed!

[DisturbedInOhio]

@Boomer You probably have noticed those who hate this health care reform, well the reform in general, call it ObamaCare. These same people now, want it repealed and think that the Reps will make a better bill. Over 100 of the "amendments" were put in by the republicans, only for them to vote their typical no, and say its "to watered down".This country has been misled these past 8-10 yrs, and sadly, common sense is becoming as extinct as the DoDo bird. Hell, they still think tax cuts create jobs.

[Boomer1949]

@DisturbedInOhio I won't say I love the Health Care bill but for a large number of Americans it will help and I'm all for that. The part I hate is that we still have to deal with Insurance Co (although there is a cap on what they can charge). I would much more have loved to have seen Medicare for all, or that the very least a Public Option but the bill can be tweaked later. No need to start over.

[DisturbedInOhio]

@Boomer1949 I agree! I really wish it would have been better, and obviously we are not alone. It is a stepping stone, and maybe just maybe, the public option (at the very least) will be added to it. However, if it gets repealed it will be a sad day for the middle and lower class. Private insurance continues to profi, and that is what the tea party wanted all along, so their protest is kind of ignorant. Well, that tea party congressman sure wants gov. run healthcare for himself, so its a start.

[Tyrannii]

@LiberalGamer This makes me so sick! Please!! This has to stop!! I simply cannot understand why Americans continue to debate socialized healthcare - this is a necessity for you all!!! And if - you are all against the idea of socialized healthcare and rather private insurance than please!!! Make laws so that Health Insurance companies are NOT allowed to deny people healthcare!!! YOU ALL simply can't keep living like this!! It's inhumane!

[WouldbeSage]

@Tyrannii Socialism is a boogeyman. The ignorant american populace think that anything that isn't based on pure greed and selfishness must be either Soviet Russia or Nazi Germany. I hate, hate, hate this about our country. 

[stepbrothers2]

@WouldbeSage capitalism is what makes america great

[BrideAndGroomFilmsHD]

@stepbrothers2 Did you really say that?

[stepbrothers2]

@BrideAndGroomFilmsHD Michael Moore knows almost nothing about the economy. These evil pharmacuetical companies have accounted for almost 90% of the drugs on the market.

[yesboss2000]

@stepbrothers2 i'll think u find that 'scientists' are responsible for 100% of the drugs, not profit-crazed executives (they simply follow the money). I hear u cry "but how could the scientists do it without the money" - they'd find a way, the good ones are not in it for the money (e.g. einstein, darwin, fleming... and so on)

[pezdrake]

@stepbrothers2 I'd love to know what the souce of that "90%" figure is. Still, prescription medication like Viagra and Latisse have little value to society as cures so the production of drugs is not a mark of progress.

The truth is that the government funds more medical research in the US (and all other countries in the world) than private industry. In fact, a lot of those commercial drugs are the result of publicly funded research. The NIH budget is over 31 billion dollars a year.

[nonchablunt]

@WouldbeSage

impatience is a form of violence!

there's no justification for clinging to prejudice, but there are plenty of reasons and explanations why north americans struggle with some more advanced political/economical systems. sure, the "pre-condition"-thingy was just bloody evil IMHO.

most countries find it very hard to break with their 'traditions'. spaniards are really nice people, yet bullfights have only been outlawed in cataluna!

but relax, only truth lasts forever. tic tac.

[cwood4ever]

@WouldbeSage then leave

[WouldbeSage]

@cwood4ever You are part of the problem, fool.

[johnmickle]

@cwood4ever The old "then just leave" defense. If you don't like the way things are then run away.

I think it's a better idea to improve things than to just flee like a coward. But thats just me.

[Dean0000007]

Loved the quote on the lady with Bush. "I work 3 jobs." Bush - "That's great! Now that's American isn't it!?"

[jakobdrewaut]

@Dean0000007 Yeah.. he really doesn't get that that's not a good part of being American. People should be able to make a decent living off one job.

[Dean0000007]

@jakobdrewaut I agree, if a business can't afford to pay an employee a decent living for working hard, then it should go bankrupt rather than make money on the back of a productive worker.

[moestietabarnak]

@Dean0000007 and, I still wonder why the other industry didn't push for universal health care, that would have cut their cost for providing insurance to their employee, as everyone pay thru taxes, The cost get diluted.

[MrMooseheadbeer]

i dont think americans are dumb.. but their scared.. scared of their government, scared because of the brainwashing media, scared of getting sick.. once enough of them dont have anything left. Shit will hit the fan... A revloution will happen, and it will be america leading it. Hopefully canada will follow.

[goog2k]

"I saw how they confuse their customers and dump the sick—all so they can satisfy their Wall Street investors."—Wendell Potter, former senior VP of CIGNA at Senate testimony, June 24, 2009

In his new book, "Deadly Spin," Wendell Potter shows how a huge chunk of our enormous healthcare spending bankrolls a propaganda campaign designed to spread disinformation. Potter walked away from a six-figure salary because health insurers flout regulations designed to protect consumers.

[zekest]

Michael Moore for president in 2016 !

[oceanbound222]

It is hard to like the USA right now