SiCKO -- Watch it Even if You Hate It

Just finished watching SiCKO and think everyone should watch it. I am not sure of Moore's facts, specifically those related to the costs of the alternatives he cites to US health care, but the underlying premise is bang on. Capitalism and health care have diverging goals; making profits and caring for people are diametrically opposed.

Having spent 4 years in health care, I can testify to the fact that insurance providers will do just about anything NOT to pay and will justify denial at almost any cost. Having just negotiated new health benefits for our small company, I can tell you that 3 of top providers place incredible limits on certain services, rendering care in those areas impractical. Because we are an orthotic and prosthetic company we pay attention to coverage for our employees (we occasionally will recruit a practitioner who is an amputee) and all of the three providers we received quotes from limited prosthetic services to $4000 per year (this was the best case). Now an average "leg" costs something like $12,000 and the high tech version, which should be the standard of care due to its incredible patient outcomes, costs well over $60,000. Effectively, this limits new prosthesis to only the highest income bracket. Typically, prosthetic patients are Medicare recipients and not in the highest income bracket. Viola, savings for providers and more profits resulting in higher bonuses and pay packages. If you want to get sick, go do the research on United Health Care executive compensation. Sounds like Wall Street, oh, about 3 years ago?

So, how do you balance the need for care with capitalism? There is no doubt that no other economic system creates innovation and wealth, but at what cost?