{"id":2775,"date":"2007-09-26T16:11:13","date_gmt":"2007-09-26T21:11:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wholehealthchicago.com\/?p=2775"},"modified":"2021-03-22T21:49:51","modified_gmt":"2021-03-23T02:49:51","slug":"sicko-part-five-fixing-the-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wholehealthchicago.com\/blog\/2007\/09\/26\/sicko-part-five-fixing-the-system","title":{"rendered":"SICKO Part Five: Fixing the System"},"content":{"rendered":"

Click here<\/a> for the original post.<\/p>\n

First, let me explain why doctors might be so impotent when it comes to doing anything about a health care system many of them clearly see is wrong. I read a research paper some years ago by a psychologist trying to analyze why physicians allowed themselves to be manipulated into situations that were patently against everyone\u2019s best interests, including their own.<\/p>\n

The conclusion was referred to as the \u201cgood little boy\u201d phenomenon. If you want to get into medical school, make it through the years of rigorous training, join a good medical group, and establish yourself in your new physician community, you have to go through life being a perfect little boy or girl. Don\u2019t make waves, don\u2019t protest, everything is fine just as it is. \u201cYes,\u201d you\u2019re told, \u201cthere are problems with the system, but at least as a doctor you\u2019re never unemployed and the money is good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hardly the breeding grounds for political activism.<\/p>\n

I was sickened when Dr. Sanjay Gupta, well-known CNN physician, used his platform to say that Moore\u2019s SiCKO was an exaggeration and that the American health care system was just fine.<\/p>\n

Then I realized he was the ultimate \u201cgood little boy\u201d doctor, and as a neurosurgeon (average salary $700,000) and CNN health commentator (millions) was so far removed from the day-to-day plights of American patients that he\u2019s likely unaware of his own embarrassing ignorance.<\/p>\n

And the American Medical Association, little more than an impotent union whose membership numbers are in free-fall (fewer than 30% of doctors are members), is no help. A typical AMA meeting includes the usual themes: declining insurance reimbursement, the malpractice \u201ccrisis,\u201d and lengthy debate on whether doctors should sell vitamins in their offices. Your well-being, and how it might be improved by changing the health care system at its roots, is a non-issue.<\/p>\n

So really, if you want to change this system and make health care a right and not a privilege, you\u2019ll have to do it yourself.<\/p>\n

First, go see SiCKO. Next, check out Michael Moore\u2019s six-line prescription for change by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Then find out for yourself the stance of each presidential candidate on universal health care. Don\u2019t accept an answer like \u201cIt\u2019s open for debate\u201d or \u201cWe\u2019re going to consider all the options and take it from there.\u201d There is no debate. There are no options.<\/p>\n

The truly sickening concept of making money for private investors by providing fewer and fewer health care benefits must be surgically removed from the health care system and disposed of forever. The health insurance industry has proven itself the worst of rogues and our health care has suffered in the process. The industry cannot be rewarded with yet another government contract.<\/p>\n

Just like we wouldn\u2019t want our police force or fire departments to be turned over to a private company like Halliburton, we can no longer allow Humana, UnitedHealth, Cigna, or the Blues to run our lives. In American history, we dismantled the slavery industry, factories with inhumane working conditions, and child labor. Dismantling the health insurance industry should be easy by comparison.<\/p>\n

Learn the position on universal health care from each of your congress people and let them know your position. If they\u2019re wishy-washy, replace them with someone who has a backbone. You might also suggest a quick (but temporary) fix: lower Medicare to start at age 45. Despite a lot of faults, it works reasonably well.<\/p>\n

Soon my son Ben will turn 23 and be unceremoniously dropped from our family health insurance policy. As a film student, with no immediate long-term employment prospects, I should be worried about his coverage, but I\u2019m not. He lives in Canada. Let me tell you, it\u2019s a nice feeling to know he\u2019s got open access to excellent health care at no cost.<\/p>\n

That freedom from worry should be available to us all.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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