Academy-award-winning documentary film producer Alex Gibney (Enron: the Smartest Guys in the Room, and Taxi to the Dark Side) has made a 90-minute documentary based on THCB contributor Maggie Mahar’s book Money-Driven Medicine. Bill Moyers will be showing a shorter 55 minute version of the film on his PBS show, Bill Moyer’s Journal, Friday, August 28 (Check local listings for time.)
Institutions can buy the DVD of the 90 minute version here or by calling 877-811-7495. Individuals can rent a digital version of the film for home use anytime after August 28 for $2.99
“Money-Driven Medicine is one of the strongest documentaries I have seen in years and could not be more timely. The more people who see and talk about it, the more likely we are to get serious and true health care reform.”—Bill Moyers
“Few Americans appreciate how the health care system is gamed against physicians’ professional commitment to focus only on their patients’ best interests. This outstanding film helps us all understand why reform is essential.” – Elliott S. Fisher, MD, Director, Dartmouth Center for Health Policy Research
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If health care were the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” the giant health insurance companies would be the money grubbing old man Potter and his predatory bank, while a public option would equate to the little building in loan fighting off Potter, lead by the heroic Jimmy Stewart character.
Dear Peter,
They know who they are–I don’t lump them all together; I know that they are not ALL that way. I am merely speaking to those (and, again, they know who they are) that are indeed the whores. If they, or anyone else, takes offense, then perhaps they are guilty of something? Personally, I have a crystal-clear conscience; I am only baiting those that will argue with me…I really and truly don’t care what anyone thinks; I am only engaged in fighting the titans of industries that are ruining the world–and there are many. I am also fighting for those that cannot get health care. My words may be sharp and/or shocking, but I do feel compelled to lay it on the line–everything I say, I truly believe.
By the way, I am in no way against wealth–I consider myself to be rather wealthy. I share it. It’s all about behavior–actions that we willingly decide to take in this life of ours. These people about whom I speak, just never seem to have enough–they are greedy and selfish to the point of utter blindness, and they will die the same way; they want everything for themselves and are unwilling to help others. They remind me of two-year-olds that haven’t been taught to share their dump trucks…
You see, I ALWAYS take the high road. I am lucky enough to be rich enough—and I don’t need more–and I have indeed chosen to be thoroughly happy and content; I have no hang ups whatsoever. I am here on this earth only fleetingly and my sole desire is to spread joy and humor, and to help others that do not ask to be helped, but need it nonetheless. No leaches, but good, kind, honest people. It’s called “walking the walk” no matter what your beliefs. If there is indeed a place called heaven, I already know that that’s where I will go…but I still think it’s all pure balderdash.
Cheers,
Christina Marlowe
On Aug 28, 2009, at 9:06 AM, Peter Haslund wrote:
Dearest Christina. As your friend and former teacher, I feel compelled to urge some modification of your descriptions related to the health care industry. You use the modifier “whoring” far too often, and some who are engaged in that profession might come to be offended. Indeed, many consider theirs to be an honest profession in which a deal is made and money is exchanged for a specific service. There are no hidden deals or deposits in distant bank accounts. Just a simple fee for service. You seem to imply that the health care industry may not rise to that level of integrity so perhaps another term needs to be employed.
And maybe its not fair to lump all into one “health care industry.” I know doctors who are anything but wealthy. Nurses certainly don’t make much money, and your local pharmacist probably drives a clunker! To my way of thinking, insurance companies and pharmasuticals are more likely to deserve your ire, but again, many in those industries probably have no idea how to modify what they do so as to make it both profitable and of some general benefit.
Peter
To all the [health care] industry whoring politicians who are lying, treacherous and, of course, in cahoots with the industry titans:
When my private (and expensive) health care “insurance” company dropped me, citing my illness as not only pre-existing but excluded from coverage anyway, I had to go onto Medi-Cal (California’s Medi-Caid program) and Medi-Care. Both are government-run programs. Both are excellent. I couldn’t be happier.
It just amazes me that a full and startling half of all Americans are not only completely uninformed but so, well, so unbelievably stupid. Each one of these idiots shoot themselves in the foot every time they cast a vote and none of them even realize for what or for whom they’re fighting. Is it that they really want to keep the health care industry CEO’s, CFO’s, et al raking in billions of dollars for themselves, while they, these morons, keep paying more and more for (increasingly) ABSOLUTELY NOTHING?!?
If I was mean-spirited I would wish for them, that is, for each one of these idiotic Republicans, to have a serious and/or chronic illness which would not be covered by their wonderful (preposterous) health care “insurance.”
By the way, if people have not figured it out yet, I’m happy to spell it out here: [Profit-driven] Health Care “insurance” is one of the biggest and most profitable SCAMS in history…
The (mostly) Republican politicians are greedy, thieving, self-centered whores while the Republican citizens are incredibly stupid.
Cheers,
Christina Marlowe