Sicko Point-of-View

I cannot wait to see this new film from Moore. It was shown at the Cannes Festival. As a Frenchman who has lived and worked in the US since 1973, with 15 years at a pharmaceuticals company, I am now working as a college professor. I am deeply aware of the disparities in coverage, and premiums across different employers with this private insurance system used in the US.

Because of the US cultural traits of individualism, ethnocentricism, and a belief in the positive aspects of capitalism, americans think that they have the best health care sytem in the world because they have freedom of choice in terms of which doctors and which health care facilities to use. They also are very doubtful of their doctors' diagnostics and will not hesitate to obtain a second or third opinion if they are questioning the reputation or opinion of their doctors. This freedom of choice is great but it comes at a huge "cost" of inequal access to care, as well as inequal level of coverage. Two different individuals working for two different companies (one being a Fortune 100 company, the other a small to mid-size company, privately-owned) will receive totally different insurance coverage based on the size of the company, its mission of providing for its employees, the current number of medical claims, etc.) They could be working in the same state, using the same heath-care insurance provider but could have totally different premiums, specific coverages, and co-payments.

When you think that the US is perceived by americans as the best country in the world, a movie like Sicko, and the questions raised by Michael Moore, should make us think and consider whether we do have the best system in the world.

I would argue that this individualized system is highly discriminatory in nature: In other words, poor segments of the population, low-wage earners are at a disadvantage against more wealthy segments of the population. This is a crime of injustice when you take into account that between 35 to 40 millions of americans do not have even health insurance coverage, or are denied access because of pre-existing conditions.

I have personal experience (because my wife's illness who is on a long-term drug treatment for the last three years... and the next two) of the continuous dealings that we have with our insurance provider concerning the filling of her monthly prescription that is recurring and yet goes through the same monthly, one or two day-delay because it requires approval by the insurance company. It is mind-boggling, and our thoughts every month go to the elderly that need the perseverance to go through this careless system of approval denials, payment delays, and questioning of all and every treatment as if we were thieves taking advantage of the system.

I heard from the President of our college that the college, in view of the sharp increases last year in insurance premiums from its current provider, approached the other two companies doing business in the state of New Hampshire to negotiate what the premiums would be. These other two companies on the basis of the existing medical conditions of the college's employees refused simply to bid on the college's business.

The present system needs a complete overhaul and strong government oversight of this privately-funded system of insurance. I applaud the questions raised by Michael Moore and I wait to see how this very important issue will be addressed by the presidential candidates from both sides of the aisle.

Welcome to the blogsphere

This is my first attempt at creating this blog in the english languauge... It is exciting to be participating in this web adventure.