Health
Big Pharma Attacks Michael Moore
BusinessWeek has an article on Michael Moore’s latest documentary - Sicko. It would appear that everyone from insurance to big pharma is out to get him.
Still, there is mounting concern among the health-care crew. The pharmaceutical industry received reports from Cannes, according to Ken Johnson, senior vice-president of the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), who says a friend called him from France after seeing the flick. PhRMA, whose membership includes Amgen, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson, issued a statement that chastises Moore’s “latest escapes” as “finding new ways to advance his political agenda.”
In case you didn’t know, this movie was premiered at Cannes, and exceptionally well received. It looks at the US healthcare system, and how it excludes many. According to Moore, the cause is private profit-making companies that leave out all that cannot pay.
Micheal Moore’s solution is simple, and has been proposed by others. I haven’t looked into the details, and based on his prior movies I suspect it will be thin on detail and high on hyperbole. Still, I like the fundamental thesis:
Rip it apart, give the federal government control, creating a single-payer system that takes for-profit insurance companies out of the equation and regulates pharmaceutical companies “like utilities since they’re just as important as electricity and water.”
At least on pharmaceuticals, I understand where he’s coming from. At least he knows what monopolies are, and what they do.
Discussion
2 comments for “Big Pharma Attacks Michael Moore”
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Hell No! You cannot let the federal government control health care. It’s a stupid idea. Just go to Canada (universal health care by the govt) and try to get a MRI done. Then we will talk. Moore is a pathetic moron!!! Why are you even listening to him? Yes the system needs to be fixed. But letting the federal govt control everything is definitely not a solution.
Hi Anuraag,
Without attacking Moore, I think you have a valid point - public health care has its own problems, inefficiency being one of them. But universal healthcare isn’t possible with private insurance, so one does need an alternative. I would, however, support Moore’s 2nd part to the solution - regulating pharmaceutical companies like utilities.