Haunted by Suicide Note, Attorney Invites 200 to 'SiCKO'

[marmar]

From the Scranton Times-Tribune, via MichaelMoore.com:


July 30th, 2007 5:10 am
Invited crowd salutes 'Sicko'

By Megan Reiter / Scranton Times-Tribune

DICKSON CITY, PA — Scranton attorney Todd O’Malley finds the health care situation in America sickening. So he rented a movie theater screening room to hold a private viewing of Michael Moore’s health care expose “Sicko” for a few hundred invited guests.

Sunday night at the Endless Mountain Theater, a crowd of nearly 200 clients, elected officials, union leaders and business agents sat side-by-side, eating popcorn, shaking their heads and applauding at the end of the documentary.

“I think every congressman should get a copy of this tape sent to them,” said Vern Johnson, of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, Local 645, who drove from Bradford County to see the movie.

“I’ve seen guys saying, ‘We’re better off dead than alive for our families.’... I think that’s pretty sad in America. I don’t think anybody should have to feel that way,” Mr. Johnson said.

Anna Cockerill, of Scranton, described “Sicko” as “excellent” and “a real eye-opener,” but added, “Unfortunately, it’s too realistic.”

Mr. Moore’s look at the government-run health care systems in Great Britain, France and Canada had viewers in a reflective mood after the film.

Mr. O’Malley, who recently served a one-year stint as president of the Workers Injury Law & Advocacy Group, traced his interest in health care advocacy back five years, when he learned that one of his clients had committed suicide.

The client, who was on workers’ compensation, wrote his suicide note on a letter from O’Malley & Langan, P.C., informing him that the insurance company had delayed his case once again, Mr. O’Malley said. .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/news/article.php?id=10087

[glarius]

1. The words "government-run health care systems " is not accurate.

Here in Canada, and I believe Great Britain too, the health care system is NOT run by the government. The doctors and hospitals run things. The government PAYS THE BILLS, period. I point this out because I believe many Americans are being mislead by those in your country who are opposed to universal care. The right-wingers are trying to make you believe that we do not have any say in who our doctors are etc., and that the government is in control of everything.
I hope I don't seem picky, but I think this is an important point.

[woodsprite]

2. Very important fact to point out. I'm going to let my freeper

relatives know. We have a friend who is moving to Canada. They make settlement on their house in September. She was afraid they would turn her application down since she had just been treated for breast cancer. The application process took almost 5 yrs.

[Yael]

3. Actually the UK is Government Run

There (and in France), the Drs work for the state and Hospitals are owned by the state.

Canada, Japan and Australia are single-payer systems.

I agree -- it is VERY important to educate people about this. Not that any one system is better than another, but that they have their facts straight.

[Lugnut]

4. My daughter and I saw Sicko this afternoon

I urge anyone who hasn't yet seen this presentation to please do so. It is not a political movie. In fact I think it transcends politics because we all get sick from time to time regardless of our political persuasion. Most people I know have a story to tell about being denied diagnostic testing or care or having to jump through hoops before such things are approved by their insurance companies. I don't think the health care insurance companies have a snowball's chance in hell of successfully demonizing Michael Moore for Sicko.