Cut Scenes from Sicko You Won't Belive
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In his movie, Michael Moore compared the healthcare systems of different countries including Canada, UK, France and the U.S. But he left out one country that was better than any other because he thought no one would believe it.
While shooting his movie 'Sicko', Michael Moore had a chance to visit Norway and couldn’t believe what he saw: The video above shows it in portions to highlight Norway's health care system. It shows how a social medical care system works successfully, even though citizens are taxed much more than Americans.
Norway has the highest standard of living in the world. They are ranked No.1 in literacy, health care and per capita income by the UN. They are also ranked No. 2 in having most women in the government (Sweden is No. 1 and US is ranked No. 66.) A pregnant woman in Norway is given a paid year vacation. In the UK and France, a woman is given six months paid maternity leave. In the U.S., it varies from company to company, but most women do not get paid maternity leave. If a citizen in Norway is physically challenged and unable to ride in public transit system, they are provided with a free car. If one is sick and are required to have a change of venue, they are provided with a free vacation. In the video above, Sylvia Brustad, Minister of Health for Norway, said: "The most important thing everyone has equal rights in Norway, whether you are rich or poor, man or woman, get the same treatment.” The police seldom carry weapons and the citizens don’t have to worry about being Tasered. Moore talks about the ways in which Norway invests in renewable energy, and all their oil industries are owned by the government to control the economy. The prison system in Norway is much different, as well. The prison system in the country is designed to educate and reform prisoners. Even though it looks like paradise, prisoners have to earn their living. They have many opportunities to escape, but they don’t. And Norway is successful in maintaining a low crime rate and the lowest murder rate in the world. I completely understand why Michael Moore said people wouldn't have believed him but hopefully we get more reports on the country's system or people travel there to see for themselves.CommentsLoading...
Thanks Isabella, but the government doesn't seem to mind, they are happy like the health minister says. I heard the Norwegians pay a high tax compared to the US, but they don't seem to have a problem. US is also rich, and have more oil resources. It could be done, but they don't want to. For the Medicare the US spends more than 500 billion dollars.
Most countries in Europe (not only EU) have this. Norway is perhaps the best. This is what is human.
Thanks Protjack, I agree if the country wants to be strong in the future, they need to have healthy and educated citizens, bombs alone won't help it.
@cgull8m: US is not rich, as long as it lets its people die of hunger, because they can't afford treatment etc. Many countries with five times smaller GDP are richer than US and you get much more healthcare, care for people who are in need etc. than in some "wealthy" states. Again, that is what is human.
Thanks Protjack, that is the human thing to do, there should be no excuses.
Yes.. well.. don't forget that Norway only has a population of about 4.6 million, compared to the US's 300+ million. That's a big cash difference in terms of what spending would be like. ;-)
Yes, that's true Isabella, the amount of money they are spending is close to 1 Trillion dollars, that could be used for variety of things. Hopefully the war will end soon.
Don't forget that 300 million are there to pay taxes in America (not including children etc., of course) and, as you say, 4.6 million in Norway.
Sorry, Jack, you cant just compare that easily. The US economy is completely different, as are income types. America has very rich people, but far more poor. Norway is not like that, not on the same scale. You cant just say 300 million people would be taxed - what about all the people who dont have jobs, are homeless, have major tax cuts for their 10 and 12 kids, are on disability and dont work, are on welfare and dont work. I have lived and worked in both the US and EU. Its apples and oranges.
Exactly Isabella, as you said: "America has very rich people, but far more poor. Norway is not like that, not on the same scale."
Um, you just agreed with my own point..
Its like this. You claim the US could handle socialism like Norway handles it, because, although the US has lots of poor people, there are 300 million Americans, therefore it shouldnt be a problem to get the money via heavy taxing.
And Im saying thats totally illogical, because only a small fraction of those Americans could afford to be taxed at the rate Norwegians are taxed - which is needed to support the socialistic infrastructure.
Which means, there wouldnt be enough money to do it.
It succeeds in Norway because Norways financial class system isnt as polar opposite extreme as the US's is.
So, again, you cannot compare the two, sorry.
It's all actually extremly simple, and I'm not planning to go into more argument. Enjoy ;-)
Hi Protjack, please do write a hub would love to hear your opinions how to solve these problems. Cheers.
Isabella Snow 4 years ago
Most EU countries have a socialist healthcare system - the one I live in does, and it's great in some respects. But it's expensive for the gov. Norway is rich, rich, rich, so they can afford it. Norway is also depressing as hell to live in, being that they have such extreme dark/daylight through the year. It's beautiful though, and Norwegians are pretty cool. Maybe it's in the genes.