Sicko Analysis

Privatized versus Universal

Sicko by Michael Moore reveals the flaws in the modern medical system, in places around the world. The documentary delves into the world of healthcare in the United States, centered around its health insurance and the pharmaceutical industry. In the documentary, Michael Moore compares the for-profit, privatized system that is used in the United States, with the non-profit universal health care systems in Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Cuba.

Privatized health care refers to a system of private corporations that exist in the American health care system. Health insurance is limited to privatized healthcare as it allows individuals who hold policies to strictly pay for what they can afford, and since
“There are nearly 50 million Americans without health insurance. They pray every day they don't get sick because 18,000 of them will die this year, simply because they're uninsured” (Sicko). Like Rick, who cut off both his ring finger and middle finger and was forced to decide which finger he would rather get reattached; the middle finger for $60 000, or the ring finger for the price of $12 000 (Sicko). American people spend more on healthcare than anyone, and according to CNBC.com, the U.S. spent an average of $9,086 per person on health care in 2013 (Mangan, US health-care spending is high) as well as paying lucrative prices for medications. Many are starting to question the integrity of the hospitals when they make the decision to dump patients that are unable to pay and some uninsured patients on the street, and abandon the sick to protect profits (Sicko). Private health care is based on the simple age old policy of supply and demand. As a result of too expensive private health care, there are 50 million Americans that go without health insurance and access to affordable care (Sicko). On unfortunate occasions, health care costs can rise rapidly, leaving patients with little choice but to go into debt to pay for care
In general, universal health care allows all its citizens to have access to affordable, high-quality medical care. The primary benefit of universal healthcare is that it drastically improves the quality of life for everyone. In the United States, those who do not have access to healthcare live with a level of fear about their future that cannot even be fathomed by others us in Canada, Cuba, and the United Kingdom. In a 2009 study, it was found that 82% of Canadians prefer their Universal health care system rather than the privatized U.S. system and strongly support the health systems being public instead of a for-profit private basis.

Sicko by Michael Moore reveals the flaws in the modern medical system and exposes America's complete failure of a healthcare system that fails to provide decent health care to the people. The documentary delves into the world of healthcare in the United States, centered around its health insurance and the pharmaceutical industry. In the documentary, Michael Moore compares the for-profit, privatized system that is used in the United States, with the non-profit universal health care systems exercised in Canada, the United Kingdom, France and