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Michael Moore Responds to CNN "Fact Fudging" Accusations

Michael Moore’s latest documentary Sicko is causing much stir in the mainstream press. As expected, media outlets including CNN have come out with reports that Moore has exaggerated or all-out “fudged” the facts.

Not taking the criticisms lightly, Moore has released a “point-by-point obliteration” of the CNN reports geared to buttress the credibility of the film.

For example, CNN claimed that Americans have shorter wait times than everyone but Germans when seeking non-emergency elective procedures, like hip replacement, cataract surgery, or knee repair. However, they didn’t bother to mention that out of six countries, surveyed, only Canada had longer waiting times than America for sick adults waiting to schedule a doctor‘s appointment for a medical problem, and delays in other countries affect only 3 percent of patients.

AlterNet July 10, 2007



Dr. Mercola''s Comments Dr. Mercola's Comments:

If you haven’t yet seen Sicko, I highly recommend it. Even though I don’t agree with his solution, Moore has put together an excellent portrayal of what is wrong with health care in the United States. Sicko is one of the BEST films I have ever seen, and I’m thrilled that he’s not taking the mainstream press’ criticisms sitting down.

A 2001 U.S. study showed that about half of all bankruptcies in that year were the result of medical problems -- and most of those who went bankrupt for this reason (more than three-quarters) were covered by health insurance at the start of the illness. Medical bankruptcies affect more than 2 million annually. Sicko offers a well-researched, and often heart-breaking, examination of the causes and effects of this problem.

However, although Moore assessment of the problem is spot-on, he would have the U.S. government pay for all the care for the uninsured. While the movie makes some compelling arguments and it might make sense for acute traumas, the bulk of the disease in this country are chronic degenerative diseases. With the government NOT paying for these expenses, the U.S. is already paying more than two trillion dollars a year for "health care" and headed to three trillion per year by the end of the decade. If the government assumes these costs it will bankrupt the country even faster.

What is the solution to the current health care disaster? Going back to natural healing that treats the cause of disease, not the symptoms -- and, of course, taking responsibility for your own health.

You can also watch the Michael Moore's actual interview on the site.  Not only was I entertained by this video but Michael also taught me a GREAT tip.  In the future I will follow his model and refuse to do any TV interviews unless they are live as this prevents any editing from occurring.


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Comment on This Article Community Comments (50)
 
 
Posted On Jul 12, 2007
Dr. Mercola says that the solution to the current health care disaster is to go back to natural healing that treats the causes of disease, not the symptoms (italics added)

The problem with this whole discussion of Sicko is that everyone is focusing on the symptoms of the health care crisis (e.g. astronomical costs, poor coverage, low quality care) and ignoring the causes of the health care crisis.  This is a mirror-image of the problems with the modalities themselves.

It is widely observed that in genuine free markets, costs go down and quality improves over time.  Why is this not happening in our health care market?  Because massive and ever-escalating government interventions have not allowed market forces to work their magic.  Why have we had these interventions?  Because powerful special interests have devised ways for them to make more money at the patient's expense.  For all who cares about our health care system (and I think this would be most Mercola readers), you must educate yourself as to the causes of our health care crisis, beyond your direct experience.  In this regard, I have 2 recommendations:

1) Rent "Hoxsey: How Healing Becomes a Crime" via netflix or blockbuster online, for a quick education.

2) Read the essay I have linked to below:

http://www.fff.org/freedom/fd0409g.asp

 
Health Freedom
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 11/2006
Health Freedom  
Replied

BigEdd
Novice User Novice User Joined On 6/2007
BigEdd  
 
Posted On Jul 15, 2007
Health Freedom,

I agree with you wholeheartedly.  Not only must we address the causes of our health care crisis, we must also solve the problem of why people get sick - that is solve diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer's disease, for instance.  My various posts on this website point to what I call my "Thorn Theory" which suggests that forces of nature (enforcing the Nature's Balance), primarily in the form of plant herbivore feeding deterrents, are responsible for human suffering.  You could say that the plants are killing us!

Look for my posts.


GRAYWOLF
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 6/2006
GRAYWOLF  
 
Posted On Sep 11, 2007

Sorry about putting this here...it wouldn't let me start a new comment...

MM is such a hypocrite! It is OK for him to "fudge facts" (lie) but no one else is allowed to do it if it contradicts him!


 
 
 
Posted On Jul 11, 2007
Gupta is a puppet of Big Pharma commercial sponsors on CNN, just like Rosenfeld is on Fox with Sunday Morning House Calls who knowingly, or unknowingly, LIED about the safety of Viagra, and when presemted irrefutable evidence to the contrary did nothing to publicly correct his assertions.

 
Russ Bianchi
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 9/2006
Russ Bianchi  
 
 
 
Posted On Jul 12, 2007
If you look at Mr. Moore's intention, rather then ripping every little mistake he has made, perhaps you will see that, this may be the begining of a very good thing for health freedom.

He is also open to new information and education.  Wouldn't it be great if we emailed Mr. Moore and  offered him some new insights?  Web address's, names, new information, etc.  I bet he will jump to this  new opportunity. 

This will be great for health freedom.

So, what do all of you think?

 
annapavlova42
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 2/2007
annapavlova42  
Replied

Bikin Mom
Novice User Novice User Joined On 7/2006
Bikin Mom  
 
Posted On Jul 13, 2007
I like that idea, I will write him with links to info about the sucess of natural/traditional remedies also. I was fortunate that some old friend wanted to get together for for dinner and movie. They picked "Sicko" which I wouldn't have otherwise seen. It was surprising and I am glad I saw it. I wish more people would take Mercola's suggestion and just watch online or go to the movie.


BigEdd
Novice User Novice User Joined On 6/2007
BigEdd  
 
Posted On Jul 15, 2007
Annapavlova42,

I have new information in the form of a new idea as to the cause of disease.  I call it the "Thorn Theory".  Check out my previous posts on this website.

By the way, how do I send this new idea to Mr. Moore?


annapavlova42
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 2/2007
annapavlova42  
 
Posted On Jul 15, 2007
bigedd,

Go into his webb site, and find his contact information.  You can also do a research for other ways of contacting him.

He has become a very popular man, and it may be difficult.  But keep on trying.


Halobeans
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 11/2006
Halobeans  
 
Posted On Jul 24, 2007

That is a great idea Anna. Obviously he could use some more info.Please let us know if you find a way to contact him!


 
 
 
Posted On Jul 11, 2007
While I might not agree with the way Michael Moore does things, he definitely brings issues to the forefront and this is one that needs to be fixed.  Maybe not the way he is thinking, but at least he is making people take a look at it.

Mary

 
mmc88121
Moderator User Moderator User, Joined On 11/2006
mmc88121  
 
 
 
Posted On Jul 13, 2007
We have public health care in NZ which means our taxes pay the bulk of the convential health care bill. Adults have to pay about $30 to see a doctor, although less if they are on a benefit (receiving welfare), which by the way includes everyone over 65, and a reasonably small charge for each prescription item. Hospitals are free. Even though I agree that drugs are not the answer to chronic health problems, and that if I am diagnosed with cancer I'll be off to Mexico and none of the taxes I've paid will be given back - I am so pleased to be living in a country where no one is ever kicked out of a hospital due to lack of money and people do not become bankrupt because they have accident or a sick child, and everyone who needs treatment gets it. Also, people will not take control of their own health if they are poor, stressed, sick or hopeless.

 
NZ Mary
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 11/2006
NZ Mary  
Replied

annapavlova42
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 2/2007
annapavlova42  
 
Posted On Jul 13, 2007
NZ Mary,

Continuing with conventional medicine is not taking control of your own health.

Cancer is curable.  All physical problems stem from a low functioning ammune system.  There are several remedies from the alternative world that you can use to decrease, greatly, your chances in contracting any illness.  Including alternative eating, life style , naturopathic MD's, and products.

 
 
 
 
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