Transcript A Discussion Guide for Michael Moore’s Sicko Small groups

SiCKO ACTION GUIDE
Small groups may use the following details from the movie and questions to begin a
conversation about health care reform. Groups larger than five may break into smaller
groups for discussion, and share highlights of their conversation with the whole group later.
The guide builds upon the movie, and filmmaker Michael Moore’s own belief that ordinary
citizens can affect change, by encouraging real, action-oriented dialogue.
Everyone is affected by our sick health care system; every one of us can be part of
the cure…
CONTENTS:
Pages 2-5 may be used by any small group
after experiencing the film. Facilitators
need only review the questions briefly
before beginning the dialogue with the
group.
Page 6 contains additional material that
can be used for a student, youth, or college
discussion group.
Page 7 contains additional material that
can be used with faith, mission, or
congregational groups.
Page 8 has specific questions for working
adults and may also work well with college
groups,
Page 9 includes questions designed for
union members and
Page 10 contains questions specifically for
business people.
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Page 12 includes questions that can be used
specifically by parents.
SiCKO uses the experiences of “regular,” insured people to underscore the brokenness of
the U.S. health care system. Again and again, Michael Moore presents facts about the state
of health care in our country and others as he weaves personal experiences throughout.
The film examines a complex issue through the lens of the personal.
TO BEGIN:
1. Recall a recent health care experience of your
own. What made it positive or negative?
2. Which of the stories in the film resonated
with you the most? Why?
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Facts from the film:
In spite of per capita costs that far exceed those of any other industrialized democracy, the U.S. is ranked 37 th in the world
in overall health outcomes. [Sources: World Health Organization and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development]
In 2004 medical bills contributed to 54% of bankruptcies in the U.S.. Most of these people were insured when illness
struck. The rest of the bankruptcies were caused by job loss, divorce, death, gambling, and addictions. [Source: Journal of
Health Affairs, Feb. 2005]
FOR DISCUSSION:
1. Does the U.S. feel like a wealthy nation to
you? Describe some features of your
everyday life that support your answer.
2. When you think of your health, job, and
finances, do you feel personally secure?
3. How do you make sense of the disparity
between ordinary people’s lives in this
country and in the countries featured in
SiCKO?
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In SiCKO, Michael Moore argues that change is possible if we all find our voice within the
democratic process. Moore repeats that we are not only a nation with the resources to
solve this problem, but with a history and an ethos of helping one another.
FOR DISCUSSION:
1. How did stories from the movie influence the
way you think about citizens in the U.S.
getting involved in their democracy?
2. What do you think is your personal stake in
changing the way our health care system
works?
3. How can your experience or story help bring
about change?
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As you may know, many groups throughout the United States are working, at every level, to bring about singlepayer health care for all. Soon after the release of SiCKO, Michael Moore sent a letter to all of his contacts
asking them to join with Health Care NOW!, a nation-wide network of activists. Health Care NOW!, and many
of its allies, support H.R. 676, the only bill before Congress that would bring every person in the United States
full, just, and complete health care.
FOR ACTION:
Michael Moore recently wrote a letter to all of his fans asking
them to join, connect with, and support Healthcare NOW
in its work. Not only does Healthcare NOW support
people of all walks of life in all areas of the country, it has
the means to help you and your groups act now.
Begin by visiting www.healthcare-now.org
to read H.R. 676 for yourself, add your story to a
petition for Congress, and link up with others who
believe our country can live up to its promise and
bring health care to all.
Other sites with information, resources, and
connections:
“Sicko Cure” www.sickocure.org
California Nurses Association www.calnurse.org
Talk, think, and write about the issue. Contact your
Congresspeople. Write your newspaper. Share
your story. Add your voice to the cause.
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Just as every single voice will contribute to lasting change, different groups bring different
perspectives, abilities, and drives for change. One challenge in revolutionizing a national system is
in hearing and harnessing the voices and strengths of all groups. And yet, it’s happening now, as
unions join retirees and nurses and medical students and teachers and parents...
One way to begin the process is to think about the unique ways different groups can
contribute to a shared cause.
FOR DISCUSSION:
1. What does “activism” mean to you? Does it have
positive or negative connotations?
2. Thinking of the experiences portrayed in the film, what
are the major problems in the United States’ health
care system? Why hasn’t it been “fixed”?
3. Excluding health care, what are some social justice or
human rights issues that concern you or your peers?
4. What can your voice and perspective add to the
discussion Moore began with his film?
5. How can you appeal to others who might disagree with
your political views, but agree that health care is a
major problem? Where is the common ground?
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Faith communities have frequently been at the forefront of human rights issues in the United
States. Also, most faith traditions specifically call for their members to right injustice, care
for the poor and sick, and stand with those oppressed by corrupt systems.
FOR DISCUSSION:
1. What do the canons, sacred texts, or traditions of
your faith teach regarding care for others?
2. How might faith communities bring about
change in our health care system? How might
there be barriers to faith communities effecting
change?
3. Does your congregation or group engage in
working for health care justice? Why or why not?
4. How does your personal faith inform your
activism in the world?
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“The percentage of working adults (18 to 64) who had no health coverage climbed from 18.5 percent in 2004
to 20.5 percent in 2005 -- an increase of over 800,000 uninsured workers. Nearly one (1) million full-time
workers lost their health insurance in 2005.”
“Young adults (18-to-24 years old) remained the least likely of any age group to have health insurance in 2005
– 30.6 percent of this group did not have health insurance.”---from the National Coalition on Health Care at
www.nchc.org
FOR DISCUSSION:
1. Describe your first “real job.” How are jobs
for young workers often different from
careers?
2. Are your parents and family members
healthy? Have you experienced any family
illnesses like those filmed in SiCKO?
3. Do you think our government should be
responsible for taking care of the health of
working people? Of those who can’t work?
Why or why not?
4. Imagine your “dream career,” and picture
yourself in that position. What benefits are
you looking for? What will make you a
productive worker?
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“Working families are experiencing double-digit increases in the costs of health insurance, more outof-pocket costs for doctor visits and skyrocketing prices for prescriptions, forcing many to delay
getting needed medical care or worse—to decline coverage for themselves or their families because
of cost. Health care costs are rising at five times the rate of inflation.” -- “What’s Wrong with
America’s Health Care,” by the AFL-CIO
FOR DISCUSSION:
1. What does “living wage” mean to you? Describe
the differences in a life with and without a living
wage.
2. Some argue that if people make good money, they
can afford to buy their own health care. What do
you say to this, based on your own experience and
knowledge?
3. Thinking about your entire career, when has
health insurance been crucial for you and your
family?
4. What do unions and activists have in common?
How can the movement for universal health care
use and build from the strengths and historical
experiences of unions?
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“The U.S. has [a]… ‘loose arrangement’ that wastes billions of dollars in administrative costs created by the vast number of different health insurance
companies offering various health plans and all requiring different types and amounts of paperwork. ‘It’s cheaper to pay directly for the medical costs than to
pay insurance premiums,’ said [Dr. Deborah] Richter, who is a member of Physicians for a National Health Program. ‘Every other industrialized country
realized this long ago.’” --from “Universal health insurance makes ‘business sense’” by PNHP
“The United States spends at least 40% more per capita on health care than any other industrialized country with universal health care, and Federal studies
by the Congressional Budget Office and the General Accounting office show that single payer universal health care would save 100 to 200 Billion dollars per
year despite covering all the uninsured and increasing health care benefits.” --from “The Case for Single Payer, Universal Health Care for the United States”
by Connecticut Coalition for Universal Health Care
FOR DISCUSSION:
1. In your opinion, how are social activists different
from business people?
2. How do you respond to Moore’s--and others’-argument that single-payer health care makes
fiscal sense for the U.S.?
3. Using issues from the film and your own
knowledge, articulate what you think is the best
solution for our failing system.
4. How might business leaders help this cause?
What obstacles might keep them from joining
it?
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“There are 23 million women currently without insurance in the U.S….women require a more diverse set of health services
than men [putting] many women at greater risk. Women of reproductive age are at a particular disadvantage, as nearly one
in five do not have private insurance or Medicaid coverage. Women are more likely than men to be in low-paying jobs that
do not offer employer-sponsored insurance.” --from the National Women’s Law Center
“Women have less access to their own employer-sponsored insurance…are more likely to depend on their spouses for
their insurance…are more likely to have lower incomes than men…[and] use more health services than men…” ---from
“Women and Health Coverage: A Framework for Moving Forward” by Patchias and Waxman at the
National Women’s Law Center
FOR DISCUSSION:
1. Choose one of the facts from above. How does
one of your own experiences underscore the
facts?
2. Think about all of the interactions a woman has
with the health care system over the course of
her life. How does our government or health
care system positively or negatively impact the
lives of women?
3. If you were to begin helping reform the system,
which area most speaks to you, your needs, and
your history and experiences?
4. As a group, where do your calls to activism
connect?
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“An estimated 2 million babies die within their first 24 hours each year worldwide and the United States has the
second worst newborn mortality rate in the developed world, according to a new report. American babies are
three times more likely to die in their first month as children born in Japan, and newborn mortality is 2.5 times
higher in the United States than in Finland, Iceland or Norway, Save the Children researchers found.”
--from a CNN Special Report by Jeff Green, May 10, 2006
FOR DISCUSSION:
1. Charles MacCormack, president and CEO of Save the Children, has said
“In countries where mothers do well, children do well.” What does
your own experience add to his observation?
2. What do you know about health care costs? If a family paid for
prenatal care and delivery with cash, how much would it cost? Is the
care you’re family has received commensurate with the money health
care industries are receiving?
3. What were your biggest challenges as a new parent? What do you think
of the benefits parents in England and France receive, as shown in
SiCKO?
4. What unique perspective does your experience as a father or as a
mother lend to the health care reform movement?
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"Words without actions are the assassins of idealism.” --Herbert Hoover
"I am only one, But still I am one. I cannot do everything, But still I can do
something; And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something
that I can do.” --Helen Keller
"Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” --Mother Teresa
MORE INFORMATION:
What is H.R. 676?
The United States National Health Insurance Act, (Expanded and Improved
Medicare for All)
*Introduced by Rep. John Conyers
Summary of the legislation:
“The United States National Health Insurance Act establishes a unique American national
universal health insurance program. The bill would create a publicly financed, privately delivered
health care system that uses the already existing Medicare program by expanding and improving it
to all U.S. residents, and all residents living in U.S. territories. The goal of the legislation is to
ensure that all Americans will have access, guaranteed by law, to the highest quality and most cost
effective health care services regardless of their employment, income, or health care status. With
over 45-75 million uninsured Americans, and another 50 million who are under- insured, the
time has come to change our inefficient and costly fragmented non- health care system.”
View the entire bill at www.healthcare-now.org/hr676.html
What is Healthcare NOW! ?
“We are building a movement for a Guaranteed National Health Insurance System in this
country, quality healthcare for every human being. How do we do that? One person at a time, one
organization, union, church, synagogue, mosque, community center, neighborhood at a
time... Here's how we do it: By developing an empowered leadership at the grassroots who
understand the issue and engage in a variety of tactics to make it happen. No one tactic or strategy
will move something this big. No one organization can do it. Top down efforts have never worked
and that is why, for at least a dozen years, people have been led to believe that we cannot get real
universal health care in this country. People have tried over and over to get national healthcare
from the top down -- but it won't work. We are the ones that must make it happen. Every other
advanced nation has it, but many people are still negative about the prospect of getting it here
because the media and the politicians have deemed it impossible.” --from www.healthcare-
now.org
Where can I tell my story?
Adding your voice to the growing movement is one of the most important steps you can take.
On the Healthcare NOW! website, you can sign a petition and leave messages for Congress.
On MySpace, you can comment, add photos, or upload videos about your experiences at
www.myspace.com/nowhealthcare.
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