Understanding the American Healthcare Through Documentaries, Essay Example

1- Moore’s movie SICKO: Think about Moore’s conclusion at the end of SICKO: me vs. we comment and think about how the film highlights some of Twenge’s book: Generation Me observations.

Capitalization and profit is presented in Moore’s documentary film as a source of the major condition by which the American healthcare system operates at present. The supposed program on healthcare support through insurance policies provided by both public and private entities in the community is not only supposed to create a sense of confidence among the people, but should also provide real security when it comes to handling their health needs and integrity. Notably though, the situation in the United States and the reality that its residents prove through experience is way different that what is suggested by the said expected results.

Relatively, the last line of Moore in the documentary with regards the idea of “me” versus “we” is a dictation on how the system of healthcare operates in the country and how much it affects social function. This line specifically imposes that in response to the desire of the big companies involved in the healthcare system to earn more they are even willing to create specific adjustments to the responsibility they have sworn to complete for the public. As of today, the American healthcare system remains strongly rooted on capitalism and the politics behind the operation that it follows.

In relation to the “me” attitude of those running the industry, the book of Twenge entitled Generation Me handles the same issue and explains its background. In the reading, it is presented that with the idealism of thinking about their personal welfare first, the individuals born during the 70s, 80s and 90s are more inclined to making sure that they first get the better end of the agreement. Their gains come first even when it means that the other’s welfare would be sacrificed, as if saying, “that’s just how the system works”. At present, this particular thinking affects the process of healthcare development in the American society so much.

2- How do Cuba, England and France (Moore’s three example in the film Sicko) differ from the US system and is there any explanation for why the US is the only industrialized country in the Western world without universal healthcare?

Moore specifically points out how the people of the three countries, namely Cuba, England and France, are all noted for their better system of healthcare that is directed more on service than in fees. Deriving such conclusion from the experience samples that he got from those he was able to interview, he featured so much on the idea that the said countries function under the condition of a universal healthcare. Relatively, such matter affects how the people respond to the governance that is being provided to them as citizens of their country.

For instance, Moore points out how readily available healthcare service has been in Cuba for some of the 9/11 victims compared to how they were treated in their own homeland’s healthcare facilities. What makes this compelling documentary reflective of reality is the fact that it features the comparison between less developed countries like Cuba to that of the supposed capacity of a world power nation to provide what its people need.

Distinctively hindered by the allied forces of politics and capitalism, Moore sets up a vision that the US healthcare system could be better redefined. This could however be handled if coordination is better established and if the development of modern healthcare system in the country become addressed successfully through the adjustment of healthcare operations.

3- Twenge’s book: Generation Me, chapters 7&8: What do you think are some of Twenge’s conclusions by the time she reaches the end of her book? Is it a hopeful forecast for GenMe and those who follow? Or is she skeptical? Where does her skepticism rest if so?

Chapters 7 and 8 of Twenge’s book are more of a visionary mirror that serves as a wakeup call. She further insists on these chapters that the self-focused attitude of the young American generation is doomed to refurbish the culture of oneness and unity in the country. Given that they care more about how they are served and how their personal needs are responded to, she points out how the future holds a dim hope for the minorities. Although liberalization has created a great source of confidence for some, its real effect on the being of the people as individuals would remain uncertain. Skeptical as she is about the idea, she pushes on for the thought that the continuous course of failure in seeing the American community as one shall motivate the young generation to embrace progress further while leaving behind all those who cannot follow through the changes that it brings about. True, if the “generation me” continues to think only of its welfare, then it is sure to create a massive hole of dissatisfaction among others who may need to be supported fully by social programs such as healthcare in the future. An evident presentation of this fact could be accounted for in Moore’s documentary film. He does note that in the process of agreeing towards the age of development, many individuals are left behind and are not served with what they need successfully. Creating programs that are best for those who are less fortunate has become a mere agenda for politics than a goal to be accomplished. Regarding this matter, she feels that social camaraderie and unity is to become an outdated social idea min the future. In line with the desire to embrace progress and development, America’s young generation would surely choose to serve themselves first before they do think of what others are expected to receive.

References:

Moore, Michael. (2007). Sicko: US healthcare film documentary. Lionsgate and the Weinstein Company. United States of America.

Twenge, J. (2006). Generation Me: Why Today’s Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled–and More Miserable Than Ever Before. The Free Press. United States of America.