You have to see this movie. It is amazing. I saw a sneak preview last night and was prepared to be totally unimpressed. I don't usually like Michael Moore's movies because I find them long and meandering. It frustrates me when he weakens his legitimate criticisms by going on some crazy tangent. Also, I don't really care for the way his movies are usually revolve around him and his stunts. I can see that he serves a purpose with his badgering, but I don't want to watch it. This has nothing to do with politics — I just think he's obnoxious. I say all this because if you were thinking about not seeing Sicko because you don't like Michael Moore — see it anyway. He hit the nail on the head with this one. This movie is not about him, it's about regular people. Chances are you can relate: you probably haven't been involved in a shooting or terrorist attack, but I bet you've been screwed by the insurance industry. Regardless of politics, there is no denying the fundamental truth that our health care system is terrible and something needs to change.

As a movie, this one is great: it didn't feel too long to me; in fact, I could have watched more of these stories. It's genuinely funny and charming, and Moore's trademark stunts are kept to a minimum (one, as far as I could tell). It's also truly heartbreaking — there were lots of sniffles and tears in the theater last night. The story that affected me the most was the woman whose husband died from cancer after her insurance company wouldn't approve a bone marrow transplant on the grounds that it was "experimental." It just broke my heart. There are lots of other heartbreaking moments in the film, as well as a ton of what the hell? moments — such as the scene where the man explains how he had to choose which fingertip to reattach after an accident, or the scene where the 9/11 rescue worker finds out her $120 breathing treatment is available in Cuba for 5 cents. Actually, that was kind of heartbreaking as well. At a couple of points during the movie, the theater broke out in applause. By far the biggest round occurred when a former member of British Parliament said: "If you can find money to kill people, you can find money to help people."

Some of the criticisms I've read about this movie is that Moore paints too glowing a picture of the health care systems in Canada, Great Britain and France. This is probably true — surely there are flaws in these systems. I've read horror stories about people having to wait forever for medical care in both Canada and Great Britain. However, I have never read a horror story in which someone in one of these countries had to wait forever and then got charged thousands of dollars. That happens all the time here. Some people don't like these health care systems because they don't like paying high taxes. Well, I relate. I hate paying taxes. Particularly since I pay federal income tax, state income tax, and two different types of city income tax and on top of that, I pay for my health insurance out of pocket (since my employer finds it easier to classify me as an independent contractor instead of an employee, hence my two types of city tax) while I accrue interest on my massive school loans. I bought the insurance, using my school loan, because I could not afford to buy my medication otherwise. I pay well over half my salary in taxes and insurance and then I pay copays for doctor visits and medication (plus I have a huge book stating exactly which tests and procedures I am not entitled to get). So, yeah. People in other countries have to pay a lot in taxes for healthcare, and people in the U.S. have to pay a lot in other ways. Many of us are just one accident or serious illness away from bankruptcy.

I have been comparatively lucky when it comes to insurance, but I am not without complaints. After college, I spent about a year working for a health insurance sub-contractor. I was a temp worker, and therefore did not have health insurance. Neither did a lot of people I worked with. And we were the people who decided whether or not treatments were approved (well, not me — I just typed up the data). We weren't doctors. We never saw the people who needed treatment. We didn't even work directly for an insurance company. During this time, since I didn't have health insurance, I was prepared to go without, like all of my recent college grad friends (two of whom scored really great jobs, with benefits, and were let go just before the benefits were about to kick in). My parents thought this was a bad idea and generously offered to pay for a COBRA to extend my health coverage. My COBRA application was denied because it was discovered that I had seen a counselor when I was in college. Now, I went to college in New York, from 1999-2003. A lot of people needed counseling at this time. I can't tell you how embarrassed I felt when I received the denial letter stating my "pre-existing mental illness" prevented me from receiving coverage. I didn't know I was "mentally ill." I thought I was a confused college student finding my identity in a particularly turbulent time and place. I told the insurance company as much and was eventually approved.

I was also without dental insurance for a very long time. I first discovered I was a teeth grinder when I went away to college (probably part of my severe "mental illness"). I found out, very soon after, that it would cost about $400 dollars for a custom mouth guard. Since I didn't have $400, I decided I would live with the consequences of grinding. Now, I have dental insurance, but I need about $6,000 worth of dental work which is not covered. Yes, I was stupid, but $400 is a lot of money to a 18-year-old on work study who knows nothing about teeth. This is a financial burden, but luckily it is not a medical crisis. I'm sure there are people all over America going without treatment for severe medical problems that are just going to get worse and worse (and more expensive).

One of the things about Sicko that surprised me (but shouldn't have) was hearing the British doctor describe the measures taken for preventative care. For example, British doctors are actually encouraged to have their patients undergo mental health screenings. Imagine that.

My favorite reviews of Sicko so far are here and here.