Analyzing the film “Sicko”, by Michael Moore, one can identify that there are some problems of the U.S’ health care system that are being portrayed: the fact that there are many Americans, in a number that reaches almost fifty million people, that aren’t even covered/insured by the health care system; and the fact that the part that is covered are, in general misinformed by the insurance companies and led to cases of fraud, or even of red tape, thinking they have full coverage and then, when in need of health care, not receiving it for not being entitled to it. Furthermore, interviews to former employees of some of the insurance companies show that these companies, within their initiatives to cut expenses, reward better the company’s physicians and other professionals, so that it won’t have to meet the necessary costs of treatments that are medically needed for the policy holders; this way, their profits can be bigger.
These problems with the health care system haven’t been fixed, because there are too many interests involved. In one hand, the political opponents to a universal health care provision take advantage of a anti-communist speech, and, much like Reagan, portray this idea as a bad one that will only lead to loss of freedom and socialism. On the other hand, the intricate connections that exist between the PhRMA (Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America), Washington Government headquarters and the Congress also make it difficult to beak such cycle of events and processes, so that the healthcare system may change.
This issue about the American Health Care System is highly related to the questions of social justice and human rights, because having access to proper health care in any situation is a basic human right itself, consecrated by the American Constitution and, without the equal access to health care to any American, this very right is denied. On another point of view, if some of the wealthier, or with more possessions, can have the access to the proper kinds of health care, but the poorest ones cannot, for not being able to pay, to have such insurance coverage, then the question that rises from there is the one of lack of social justice.
In contrast with the lack of equality in health care services found in the American society, when visiting the UK, one finds a National Health Service (NHS) that asks for no expenses from the citizens; a pharmaceutical free service for the citizens that under 16 years and above 60 years of age, and a subsidized one in the general case, having an amount fixed on about $10 USD per prescribed item; and a return of the travelling costs, done by a cashier at the hospital, for the citizens with lower incomes. In France now, there are the medical services SOS Médecins and the 24-hour French which provide with a physician to visit the sick citizens at their homes; and besides public healthcare, the French Government also gives public education that includes access to universities, right to take vacation, day care with a cost of merely $1 USD per hour and neonatal support (including cooking, laundry and cleaning service) for new mothers. Seeing such differences, one easily concludes that these citizens have a much equal right to the proper cares needed and, because of it, also able to have (for them and their offspring) a better quality of life.
