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Michael Moore and “Sicko” Take Sacramento By Storm: Powerful Testimony and Press Conference Before Film Is Even Shown

By Frank D. Russo

Michael Moore appeared in the state Capitol earlier today and jammed up the hallways, the press room, and the largest hearing room in the building with overflows in the balcony and watching on television screens outside. In a scene reminiscent of the Beatles in A Hard Days Night, he was mobbed and everybody, except Republicans, wanted to appear with him and be as close as possible.

Moore’s speeches to the press conference with Speaker of the Assembly Fabian Nunez and the Democratic leadership of the Assembly, followed by his 15 minute remarks at the Senate Health Committee hearing were powerful, direct, and articulated one of the best arguments for a single payer plan that I have heard and an argument for an active and involved government in the health area. Moore blasted the insurance industry, which he said needs to be removed from the health care area altogether in favor of a Medicare ike system for all. He said, “We are all part of a broken and corrupt system.”

These remarks would have made news just by themselves. They have heightened interest in his film Sicko even before it has been shown. Large satellite dishes atop trucks have sprouted around the Capitol and its park. Moore has been followed by a gaggle of cameras everywhere. You should be reading, seeing, and hearing a lot about him. If the documentary film is anywhere as good as Moore’s comments and as good as it has been described, it may do what its fans suggest: Do for health care what Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” has done for global warming action.

You can watch the entire press conference with Nunez and the Assemblymembers In three parts, courtesy of CBS, Channel 13 in Sacramento:

Part 1: Speaker Nunez Speaks About Health Care Problems And Introduces Moore.

Part 2: Moore Speaks On Health Care

Part 3: Moore Speaks On Health Care Cont'd.

Moore’s presentation to the Senate Health Committee was even better and will is available for viewing on the California Channel. I highly recommend watching it—not only for the health care issue, but for its logic in support of governmental action in general. Moore mocked the Republican argument that is repeated ad nauseum that “government is bad” by saying that no one argues against “socialized police or fire services” and would want them as responders on the scene to ask how their actions would affect the bottom financial line of their department. He said he expects the same standard in health care when someone is wheeled into a hospital in need of care. He said that is what health insurance companies engage in when faced with authorizing and paying for care.

Moore told the committee that most Americans when they were told that 30% of health insurance premiums go to “overhead” and red tape and not to health care assume that if the government was paying the bills that the percentage would be much higher—about 40%. He told the committee that the Federal government in Medicare spends only 3% for overhead and the figure in Canada is even lower.

At the press conference, Moore said “I’m pushing for three simple things”:
1. Health care for every American and person residing in this country.

2. Remove the profit making insurance companies from the equation.

and

3. “I want the pharmaceutical companies strictly regulated like a public utility.”

Nunez started the press conference off saying his bill was “not a perfect plan, clearly, but a step in the right direction.” In response to a question of why his bill doesn’t cover everyone in California and why it doesn’t remove insurance companies, he said “because I can’t get a 2/3 vote. If you can find 6 Republican Assemblymembers and 2 Republican Senators, I’ll be glad to make the amendments.” Nunez supports SB 840, Senator Kuehl’s single player plan that would eliminate insurance carriers from California’s system.

Moore said that “anything that moves towards single player is a good thing and I support it.”

Posted on June 12, 2007

Comments

Way to go, Michael! Universal Health Care Single Payer coverage for all Americans (Californians first) is the ONLY way to go on this issue. We have to stop supporting our current private health care insurance plans for profit in this country! It is outrageous that 45 million Americans are uninsured and another 45million are under-insured due to this broken, unaffordable yet outrageously expensive system! We have to make our government stop being bought and paid for by big insurance and drug companies on this issue and start working for the intesest of the American people! If the people will lead, the leaders will follow, so SPEAK OUT AMERICA!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Dr. Van and Lois Hamilton at June 13, 2007 09:40 AM

That's nice. Now when will Sacramento address the other documentary Michael Moore appears in, "The Drugging of Our Children"

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3609599239524875493&q=The

Are not children languishing in foster care in California just as important?

Then how about reforming the judicial system which is completely corrupt and broken?

http://www.msnusers.com/FreeVincentBooth

Posted by: Diane Booth at June 13, 2007 02:11 PM

Since when can a Hollywood type promote their personal profit making propaganda, aka "film", on state property using state time and assets? Does the state get a share of the royalties from this "film"?

Posted by: intheknow at June 13, 2007 08:22 PM

In the know:

Just like articles, academic studies, books and other media can be discussed in the Capitol for the content they and the information they have in them.

This happens regularly in hearings, on the floors of both houses, and in rallies daily on the Capitol steps.

A month or so ago a group of CEO's met with the Governor and legislative leadership and appeared in the Capitol Park to speak, be recorded, and be filmed by TV cameras and the like. If you have something to say that people want to hear, it's your First Amendment right.

The film was not shown in the Capitol.

Posted by: Frank D. Russo at June 16, 2007 11:38 AM

Michael Moore was interviewed by Oprah recently and was very impressive--as was Oprah too! Especially his response to criicism about government health plans being 'socialism': "we don't have any problem with socialized police or fire departments" was superb. What he says, and the way he says it, has great impact because it is accurate and well thought out.

Posted by: Helen Black at June 17, 2007 04:29 PM

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