Social Scapes

I recently viewed this “Frontline” video on public television. The need for healthcare reform legislation in America seems obvious. I decided to spread the word, one DVD at a time. So, I purchased copies for: 1- my doctor, 2- my congressman, 3- my sister (nurse), 4- my sister (physician assistant), 5- the arch-bishop of my church. If you’re concerned about the quality and cost of your healthcare, then share the information in this video with the other people in your life. Also, I recommend the video entitled “Sick Around the World”.
Rating: 5 / 5

This fine documentary from Frontline explores the current health care issues and problems in our nation. Too many people are uninsured; too many doctors wouldn’t want to be paid less if costs were regulated under a system similar to those in other developed countries with universal health insurance; too many hospitals wouldn’t want their own costs to be controlled under any new health care system–and the list of complaints goes on when Frontline asks what others think and feel if we were to have universal health insurance in the United States.

On the other hand, the alternative to a new system can be mighty frightening. This documentary takes a close look at just how badly several people all over the nation have been financially devastated by the current health care system. We meet a realtor who is seriously considering going back to her native New Zealand where she can get coverage until she’s 65 years old–and then she could return to the US where she would be eligible for Medicare. There’s also the case of a man who never thought he needed health insurance–until he returned from a trip overseas and had a heart attack which cost him huge amounts of money. We also see the remarkably tragic case of a beautiful young woman with lots of promise die from a case of lupus that she and her family could not afford to pay for because they didn’t have insurance to cover it.

Frontline also explains issues surrounding pre-existing conditions and medical underwriting; this helps to educate the viewer. I learned a lot!

In addition, we get interesting interview footage with people at the top of several health insurance companies; and the footage of Obama’s health care conference in March, 2009 is also very good for this film.

Hopefully we can achieve a resolution to the health care crisis in the near future. I recommend this DVD for anyone interested in the issues presented here; indeed, any American should consider getting this because the solution to this issue will have a direct impact on all of us.
Rating: 5 / 5

A look at the crappy Health Care system in America that about sums it up. This is an in depth investigation of the unproductive health care system in America. Very few will say that the Health Care system is great in this country, by most opinions the Health Care system in U.S. is a giant failure. Of course most of the problems in the health care industry are obvious, but Frontline does a nice job of providing all the facts especially for those still in denial that the health care system sucks.

First of the problem is that Health Care system is ruled by greed and profit. In a capitalistic system like the US that plays right into its hands. Premiums are high, the cost is high, even the coverage itself may or may not even cover you. It’s such a bad system it’s not funny.

It definitely wasn’t going to be fixed under the corrupt George W. Bush administration which failed to make any headway with keeping health care affordable.

Frontline presents these problems in more detail presents several cases with Americans where the Health Care system either failed, misled, or completely ignored their cries for help. The show presents the rather corrupt process of rescinding coverage.

How crappy is the health care system in America?

Even the Ceo of Kaiser is interviewed who admits how inadequate the health care system is. Imagine that.

As mentioned several stories are presented. Probably the most persuasive cases are the Jennifer Thompson story and Nikki White story.

Thompson was initially awarded medical coverage even though she might have cancer. Then after undergoing surgery to Thompson’s surprise, the medical insurance company said they weren’t going to pay for her coverage. Thompson was left with almost a half million dollars in bills. Way to go Health Care!!!

The Nikki White story is even more disgusting. A girl diagnosed with Lupus and no medical company will give her coverage.

It seems that the practice of a lot of these insurance companies is to award you coverage but only while you are healthy to begin with which contradicts the whole effort of getting coverage to begin with which is to get help for sick.

There are idiots who will claim these are isolated cases but the millions of Americans who either can’t pay for coverage or are denied medical coverage are living proof that the Health Care system in America sucks and it needs a major makeover.
Rating: 5 / 5