What did Michael Moore's Sicko movie get wrong about life in England and France?

He paints such a perfect picture of life there' free healthcare, practically free prescription coverage. In France, free daycare, 100% paid sick leave.





I live in Canada, and I know that the picture he painted about Canada is not completely accurate. Like, any time I've ever had to go to the hospital, I've waited like 4-6 hours or more to see a doctor. Sometimes, I've waited 6 hours and left because I was so frustrated, and had to home and get some sleep because I couldn't afford to take the next day off work.





So... what did he get wrong about life in England or France?





And... do people in England seriously get free dental coverage? If so, why are the British notoriously known for their bad teeth?

What did Michael Moore's Sicko movie get wrong about life in England and France?
The NHS is alright but far (very far) from perfect, I lived in the UK for a few years and whilst I was never seriously ill I also never saw the same doctor twice, not good for patient-doctor relations. Getting free dental care was nigh impossible - I had a toothache and no way was I waiting three months - so I had to fork out the $120 to go private.


The NHS tends to pull crap like denying some patients access to meds or not paying expensive meds back and that in my opinion is unacceptable.


I live in Belgium now and here it's as good as you could ever want, yes you pay your own doctor but you get reimbursed for that and most of your prescription drugs.





Michael Moore is notorious for twisting facts to fit his own opinion, I never cared for the man at all, far too biased.
Reply:It's not accurate the way he portray Cuba either. The hospital he went to was the hospital Castro's policemen or soldiers go to.





Michael Moore's films are very one-sided, just like Ferenheit 911. I like the message he is trying to put out there, but I wish he would show both sides of the issues.
Reply:some truth in what he says but like yourselves when we go to casualty we have a 3 to 4 hour wait and sometimes longer.


dental care is also covered by the nhs (national health service) but is more of a subsidised service. saying that most of our dentists are starting to go private so we have to start paying for it.


like any country out there there are people who look after their teeth and people who dont. i know plenty of north americans with very very bad teeth (my father in law!!!! lol)


there are some firms here who offer 100% sick pay but not too many. for some reason they are mostly north american own firms!!
Reply:Everybody waits hours when they go to the hospital. I live in America where it literally cost me $2,700 for my recent emergency room visit. I waited in the waiting room for 3 hours in excruciating pain. Long waits and getting taken advantage of by the government (or private insurance companies) is par for the course. I know he may be biased, but I'd rather have waited 4 (like you did) and not have to worry about the $2,700 bill, than waited 3 hours and have to fork over that much money for a 30 minute visit, a cortisone injection, and a prescription.





America should have universal coverage.
Reply:We do have free healthcare but as a result we have very high taxes and services are limited and some treatments are denied some people depedning on the areas they live in (richer areas with better funded hospitals get more access to treatments etc.). It's not a perfect, flawless system but no-one is denied treament because of money. Our health service has a duty of care, it's not about profiteering. If anything it's more about holding on to as much money as poss and trying not to waste it.


GP surgeries are mostly a disaster, booking an appointment is so awkward (like you have to book it a week in advance in some places which isn't practical or sensible).


We don't have free prescriptions, some prescriptions you can get on the NHS or discounted but mostly you have to pay something, unless you're in hospital or summat.





The British are 'notoriously known for their bad teeth' cos it's an outdated stereotype, people who think that of us are those who also call us dated nicknames like 'Limeys'.


Our dental service is free, if you can find an NHS dentist. Sadly they are mostly all trying to get more money so most have gone private.


As someone with perfectly straight teeth, who's never had a filling (well I had one in a baby tooth as a child cos the back of my mouth was compacted, but as soon as it fell out my teeth were fine) I can't indentify with this bad teeth rubbish. I don't know anyone with awful teeth (well one and he's from Germany so that means nothing).


There are so many Americans with bad teeth too, just look at the lead singer from Green Day for starters. It's not a British trait, it's stale and old. Everyone is vain now I don't get my we still get tarnished with that stupid brush, we're as vain as the Americans!

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