Directed by Michael Moore
Written by: Michael Moore
Produced by Michael Moore, Kathleen Glynn, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein
Dog Eat Dog Films
PG-13
You are responsible for the difference
June 29, 2007 -- Michael Moore's "Sicko" opened today in theaters across the United States. The movie examines the ground-level effects of the private health insurance system in the U.S., using a relatively restrained version of Moore's usual approach (i.e., it's not exactly balanced or nuanced). "Sicko" is physician-centric: It features extended interviews with physicians but none with nurses, it does not explain nurses' role in the system, and it fails to mention nurse practitioners. Yet it has been embraced and actively promoted by many nursing groups. Why? Because it is a powerful, sad, and funny indictment of a dysfunctional health care financing system that imperils the patients nurses try to protect and that undermines nursing practice and education. We urge everyone to see Moore's movie and consider what can be done.
Reviewed by Harry Jacobs Summers
Nursing Editor: Sandy Summers, MSN, MPH, RN
Reviewed July 1, 2007
The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the Board Members or Advisory Panel of The Truth About Nursing.
The one message we saw from any nursing organization regarding the film's depiction of nurses is below:
Dear Michael,
The nurses' of Canada celebrate and thank you for a BRILLIANT, IMPORTANT and POWERFUL movie! This is the BEST EVER tool that we activist could have dreamed for!
Nurses in Canada are fighting everyday to protect and strengthen our universal health care systems.
One request for you: please speak about nurses and doctors when you are interviewed (as opposed to only doctors which reinforces unhealthy hierarchies). Nurses knowledge, skills, compassion and passion are critical to patient care and to a universal health care system.
THANK YOU!
Doris Grinspun RN, MSN, Ph.D. (cand) O.ONT.
Executive Director
Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO)