Lando 
Posted on 12/22/2004 8:08:50 PM PST by Lando Lincoln
The Los Angeles Times has details on Michael Moore's latest piece of propaganda theater--a hit on the health care/pharmaceutical industry titled "Sicko:"
Rumors are already flying within the industry about Moore's moviemaking tactics. Moore, it is said, has hired actors to portray pharmaceutical salesmen who offer gifts to doctors who promote their products. There's also word that he's offered physicians $50,000 apiece to install secret cameras in their offices in an effort to document alleged corruption.
In September, employees said that Moore was shoving a microphone at people at GlaxoSmithKline, Bloom notes, even though he was in town only for a radio appearance.
"We have six business centers nationwide, all of which report 'sightings,' " Bloom said. "Michael Moore is becoming an urban legend."
Tentatively titled "Sicko," Moore's film will probably be released in the first half of 2006, sometime between the Sundance and Cannes film festivals. No deal has yet been reached, but an announcement is expected after the new year. There's interest in the industry, he says, on the part of some of the major studios and not just their specialty divisions.
Quick aside: My hubby worked in the health care field (both government and pharma) for several years, and I'm well aware of a lot of the crap--kickbacks, marketing violations, pricing shenanigans, etc.--that goes on.
That said, unhinged pharma-bashers like Moore put all the blame for America's health care crisis on greedy drug companies--and none on Americans themselves. One of the biggest factors driving up health care costs and fueling pharma is obesity.
Nearly 130 million adults are overweight in the US alone, and 60 million of them are considered clinically obese. RTI concluded last year that the health care costs associated with obesity now rival those attributable to smoking. Obesity costs in the U.S. totaled up to $92.6 billion last year, and government-funded public insurers Medicare and Medicaid financed about half the bill.
Instead of whingeing (it's my word of the day) about the high cost of cholesterol drugs and diabetes treatments and gastric bypass surgeries, and instead of demonizing the pharma innovators who are rescuing Americans from their destructive vices, Michael Moore could actually do some good for the country by taking personal responsibility and turning the camera on himself.
The demon is in the mirror, dude.
Lando
yeah Michael..........that will be a Big Mac, fries, large coke..........and ummmmmm......CODE BLUE, RIB SPREADER STAT.....ah yes, the fate of Mr Moore........
Nice one.
Sorry to tell you, but from what I witness when I worked IT in a hospital, There is a lot more going on that the public knows.. I think we should pressure down on the industry to stop wasting $$$. My dad spent a night in the hospital last week and walked out with a $15,000 bill...
Maby he could do this country some good with this one?
Mooreon must be completely off his rocker to make a comedy about himself.
It should be called "another fabrication brought to you by Fatso."
Michael Moore has never seen his reflection, every time he tries the mirror shatters and the frame warps! fat bastard!
Where are my diet pills?
Aw, heck - let them figure it out.
Merry Christmas everyone!
That was my thoughts -- especially in light of the drug companies behind the WTO push to take away our right to buy and use supplements.
The demon is in the mirror, dude.
LOL!
I don't believe MM has any intention of doing anything but lining his pockets by making mockumentaries that the slobbering faithful will flock to see. Doing good is not part of the deal. And as zert_28 pointed out, the page in his dictionary which defines "truth" has been torn out and thrown away.
There needs to be major reforms in our health care system but
Moore's only point will be that the government must take over the entire industry. He's not interested in any non-government solutions.
A rib spreader big enough for Mikey will need to be brought to his gasping carcass with a forklift.
I'd completely forgotten about them. (I'm sure I'm not alone in that.) Wonder how their ratings are, or if they're adding channels.
I'm still waiting for the headline - Government Tightens Belt - Massive Layoffs Projected At NPR...
That's because of trial lawyers, not doctors.
Okay, I don't get it.
Hospitals are broke.
Doctors' fees are under pressure.
Drug costs are under pressure.
Why should it cost $15k to keep someone in a hospital room for a night?
Or even $1k?
If the Four Seasons hotel can keep me in pampered luxury for $500 a night, surely a hospital can too.
D
haha.......my mistake.........not rib spreader.......he would need the Jaws of Life.....
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