Posted on 08/22/2006 7:38:30 AM PDT by Huntress
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- The health-care industry is worried sick over "Sicko."
Few details have emerged about the 2007 documentary from Michael Moore, the filmmaker who ripped apart Detroit automakers with "Roger and Me" and now has his sights set on the $1.5 trillion pharmaceutical and health-care industry. But it's still enough to mobilize health-care trade groups who are trying to discredit the film.
No balance from Moore "A review of America's health-care system should be balanced, thoughtful and well-researched to pin down what works and what needs to be improved," said Ken Johnson, senior VP for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. "You won't get that from Michael Moore."
Added a spokesman for one of the top 10 pharma companies: "We expect it will be one-sided and biased, just like his other documentaries."
Several other pharmaceutical makers did not return calls for comment. But Pfizer, AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline all advised their employees last year not to speak to Mr. Moore when he began his research for "Sicko." It is not known whether any HMOs or drug companies will appear in the film.
"We were approached, but declined," said a spokeswoman for a second top-10 drugmaker. "Frankly, as much as we felt like we wanted to get our message across, in the end we didn't want to subject ourselves to the editing process."
Academy Award winner Mr. Moore, the Academy Award-winning director of "Bowling for Columbine" and "Fahrenheit 9/11" -- the latter the biggest-grossing documentary in movie history -- recently told Variety that the drug companies have been on to him for some time.
"They're so hip [to me] that whenever we have a family" with a health-care nightmare "they get free health care," Mr. Moore said during panel discussions last month at his second annual Traverse City Film Festival in Michigan. "There has been a 100% success rate of the people we're filming of getting whatever they need from the HMOs, pharmaceutical companies, whatever."
On his website, Mr. Moore offered a snapshot of what the documentary entails. "Back in February, I asked if people would send me letters describing their experiences with our health-care system, and I received over 19,000 of them," he wrote. "To read about the misery people are put through on a daily basis by our profit-based system was both moving and revolting. We've spent the better part of this year shooting our next movie, 'Sicko.' As we've done with our other films, we don't discuss them while we are making them. If people ask, we tell them 'Sicko' is a comedy about 45 million people with no health care in the richest country on Earth."
Film in flux Mr. Moore didn't return calls for comment. But on his site he said that, like his other films, what he starts with is not necessarily what he ends with.
"That, I can say with certainty, is happening now as we shoot 'Sicko,'" he wrote. "I don't think the country needs a movie that tells you that HMOs and the pharmaceutical companies suck. Everybody knows that. I'd like to show you some things you don't know. So stay tuned for where this movie has led me. I think you might enjoy it."
How fat is michael moore now?? He needs to worry about his own health care.
Taking a page from the Jesse Jackson 'shakedown' playbook.
oops, that's Dunkin.
Gosh, Michael Moore writes so well, doesn't he?
He eats well, too, apparently.
Hide the donuts!!! Here comes Michael Moore!!!
I don't care about his health care. I just want him to shut up.
Sure fire nominee at the 2008 Academy Awards for "Best Documentary."
Once he wins, he can give a heartfelt speech for the 2008 liberal candidate of his choice.
In Moore's mind the only legitimate profit-based system is his film-making. He's a habitual liar and a disgusting hypocrite.
Health care is having to purchase super-size equipment now for the patients the size of Michael Moore.
I hope he has one of those upcoming candidates in his film.
It will have to be pulled 60 days before the primary according to McCain/Feingold.
Wouldn't that just tick him off!
Probably eat himself into a coma!
LOL!
Nah, the more he talks (and makes movies) the more he discredits the issues he goes after. After F 9/11 people are well aware that he has no credibility. He is just preaching to his choir. These people have no political clout and will just keep forking over cash to buy Moore's considerable meals. We shall see if he's invited to the Dem convention in 2008. We can only hope the Dems shame themselves once again.
Regardless of it being Moore, does any one else here think there might be a problem with healthcare costs? If so, what are some answers?
Since Michael Moore is so concerned about our evil "profit-based system" I'm sure that he's going to donate all profits from this movie in an effort to help correct the problem. </sarcasm
Fat Mike is a miserable failure.
Another RAT agenda film by the sniveling liberal crowd.
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