Cathie:

Yes, indeed

I am hoping there will be a revolution after enough folks realize that our system is upside down.  When I went to see Sicko they were handing out flyers for www.moveon.org/sicko and my local Maryland Physicians for a National Health Program groups.  I am joining them Thursday.  Did you receive some information?

Kayla:

Agreed

I am so sorry to hear about your step-father's illness and death.  I am sorry, too, that he felt the sting of economic betrayal at the end. So unfair and sad.

In the late 70s I lived in a country with socialized medicine.  Amazing.  It cost the equivalent of 75 cents to see a doctor. All students were taken by school bus to see a real dentist, not a hygienist, once a year.  If they needed follow-up denatl care, it was provided. Free of charge.  

I babysat for a woman with a newborn.  The hospital sent her home with everything she would need for the first few months of the baby's care, including a bassinet, creams, lotions, vitamins, diapers...  And a home nurse came to visit weekly through the first months to ensure that she and baby were doing well.  She was Irish and didn't know much about raising a child in the cold of Scandinavia, nor would I have.  The nurses taught her how to dress him for the cold, smear his face with moisturinzing cream and acclimate him to being out in the fresh air for at least a half hour a day, even in -10 Celsius weather. 

As much as I was impressed by the healthcare, I was also impressed by the concern for children's nutrition and exercise that was supported by the government.  Compared to the cheap school lunch program here, where ketchup is considered a vegetable, all children in the country were served a free lunch of real, homemade food. Good quality meat, fish, cheese, eggs, whole grain breads and crackers, real fruit, vegetables, yogurt, and milk.  And the p.e. program was remarkable.  We ran through forest trails with laid down wood chips.  We used an ancient exercise program that mimicked the motions of people working in fields.  We swam, played ice hockey and their version of baseball.  We were tested regularly to determine our fitness level.  We played at least three days a week, after which, we relaxed in the sauna. 

Don't even get me started on how phenomenal their educational system was.  What a difference it makes to have a government that focuses on what really counts in life; health, education, housing and nutrition.  When I lived there in the 70s, there were concerns about youth suicide, alcoholism and heart disease.  There were school programs to address all of these concerns.  When I went back to visit in the 90s I was amazed to see how people's diets had changed, on the basis of government intervention, to eat more fruits and vegetables and less dairy fat.  I saw no obesity. None.  Not in the 70s or the 90s.

We have let things go so badly in this country and medical costs are so high, that without a comprehensive approach, truly, socialized medicine could bankrupt us.  I am not speaking against it, but I am thinking that until we improve our national educational system to take physical, social/emotional and nutritional education, in addition to academic, college and work-preparedness seriously, we will be sunk by the epidemic of depression/mental illness and obesity, which lead to epidemic diabetes, heart disease, substance-abuse, suicide and cancer rates.  Until we improve our air and water quality and take a stand on the hormones and antibiotics in our food, and phyto-estrogens in our plastics, bath and cosmetic products, we will see sky-rocketing cancer and infection rates.

Until we reach political and social nirvana, we each need to take personal responsibility and do the best we can given the realities.  It's pretty stark and scary.  The first thing that set off my tears when I was on the examining table being told I had cancer was, of course, the horror of the possibility of leaving my child motherless.  Sad to say, the next thoughts that had me sobbing hyterically were worries about money.  

I didn't set out to write so much, but your share struck a nerve of personal identification.  There but for the grace of God, go I.  I feel very blessed even as my heart bleeds for other people who suffer injustice. I do try to address what I can, in my work. 

Kayla 

jmar:

AGREE ALSO!!

YES!  I saw it also, on  Sunday. I have no time to write, right now- need to begin work, but wanted to say I had some amazing medical care in France on a vacation in 2000. I was already coming down with something just before leaving - but when I got there, due to the unexpected damp, rainy weather, it turned into bronchitis and asthma. I couldn't even leave the room, and the hotel manager called SOS Medecin for me, and within 45 minutes a French doctor showed up (cute, yet), examined me, told me what it was (above), and wrote me 4 prescriptions (including an expensive inhaler). My daughter bought it all at the pharmacy 2 doors away for less than $10, and his visit cost a total of $28. Totaly amazing.

Then - way back in my 20s, my husband had music work in Canada and we moved there for a year. When we arrived we were considering making it permanent, so we applied for status as Landed Immigrants, and for $1 had use of completely free medical coverage. It was totally amazing. No big medical centers with lines... I went to a private doctor within walking distance - free.

It amazes me - I remember my mother being scared into buying EXTRA medical insurance before traveling to Europe after having been brainwashed with scare tactics.

Anyone doubting any of the facts in SICKO should treat themselves to a trip to another country and see how truly respectfully they treat their people.

I also loved the way he attacked the anti-French sentiment. I myself have never been treated badly in France. They simply don't appreciate tourists with a superioristic attitude.

Anyway -better get to work now. I do hope this movie helps activate people to improve our poor (non-existent) health care system. 

ImaCountryGirl:

Another agreed....

Word,

Thanks for the information about the movie, which I had not even heard of.  (That's what happens when you live in a cave, I guess.) 

I do a small amount of volunteer work with people who have a mental illness, most of whom exist on disability income.  Exist is about all they do. 

It is a disgrace the way they are treated, for the most part, by the medical community.  I have accompanied some to ER's and doctor visits and they seem to be treated like third class citizens, which is a real shame as none of them chose to have a mental illness. 

They are some of our most vulnerable citizens and because of their illness, a chemical imbalance in the brain, often have such low self-esteem they cannot speak up for themselves so they are at the mercy of a medical system which does not seem to even care about them, but instead blames them for their own illness.  (though they would never blame anyone for diabetes or cancer). 

Word I believe you  have touched on a subject near to many of our hearts. 

Thank you for raising awareness about a problem that is only getting worse. 

Now we are all faced with the challenge of finding solutions. 

The sad thing is, because of apathy, people don't seem to care until THEY are affected by it.

Beverly

Sending you lots of love