Moore probes state of health care in ‘Sicko’

His notoriety is legendary, his effigy was filled with ham and blown up in the movie “Team America: World Police,” and now he’s back with “Sicko.” Michael Moore’s scathing look at today’s health care system jumps all the bounds that should be set for a documentary. But even if he spins with the grace of a monkey, the often-comedic foreground can still delight anyone with a sense of humor.

Through a myriad of ridiculous situations, Moore explains his opinion on HMOs, universal health care and the contrast that has developed between American and foreign systems. Some of these stories are pertinent, such as denying claims because of previous undocumented ailments, while others are blown a bit out of proportion, as in Moore’s overzealousness at exploring the possibility of other government services.

One of the more ambitious scenes, however, revolved around what really happened to the customers and even employees who appeared in insurance advertisements. Four “advocates” found themselves in dire straits, one even losing her husband due to the company’s denial of payment. Another account highlighted the fact that attempting to get emergency services in a formidable situation was next to impossible if the hospital used wasn’t part of the same HMO group even under a full-coverage insurance plan.

One of the more depressing scenes highlighted Moore’s overall idea: The security provided by health insurance isn’t quite as much of a safety net as we might believe. Proponents for and against full government control can agree that reform is required in order to cut through the red tape and bureaucracy that has become too normal when a human life is at stake.

Once Moore leaves U.S. soil, the spin becomes overbearing. The first stop on an international showcase of universal health care is Canada, where he cannot resist making a few jokes at the immigration lobby’s expense. One woman, Adrianne, felt no qualms about showing false documentation to buy prescription medication. “Americans marrying Canadians just to get health care,” was her take on what may eventually happen without reform, and it was emphasized by her Canadian friend’s quip, “We’re being used.”

The next stop was Britain, where a tour of both a hospital and the plush home of a medical doctor were used to allay all the fears of physicians in America that their BMWs were safe even while keeping society healthy.

Whether or not France is a perfect country, even the French can agree that this third portion of the universal health care tour wasn’t all that it was cracked up to be. Embellishing every positive aspect of French society, while ignoring several conflicts that have arisen in just the past decade, Moore begins to diverge from health care to state services in general. From old-fashioned house calls to government nannies, there’s more idolism than fact for this portion of the film.

Despite the well-known slant that Moore unabashedly uses, “Sicko” is still a quality film, probably more entertaining than some of Hollywood’s typical blockbusters lined up for this summer. Although moviegoers may have to read up a little before or after seeing it, there is no reason to pass up a chance at both a laugh and a look at current events, all wrapped up in one package.

Grade: B