Malagent’s Domain

Update: I decided to watch the Movie SiCKO and I can say I was not dissappointed. I knew it would be the same old Moore lies and it was. Moore shows a 7 year old World Health Organization report showing the U.s. to be #37. He fails to mention the age of the report only stating that we are just behind Slovenia. The report he shows also has Cuba listed belor the U.S. although he later tries to frame the Cuban medical system as far superior to that of the U.S. ~Malagent 07-08-2007

The only good that can possibly come from Michael Moore’s SiCKO is that people are at least going to debate an issue. We can only hope that it does not follow the pattern of the 9/11 deniers (self proclaimed “911 Truth Movement”). Open debate coupled with critical thinking is a good thing. Denying mountains of evidence that disproves you conspiracy and pushing forward with lies, however, is nothing short of dangerous. Just watch Loose Change and do a little research to see what I mean.

I have yet to see the film and I will not pay to do so either. I will watch it only to see how much Moore twists the facts and selectively chooses his material. That way I will be prepared with that knowledge when the need arises for debate.

People all over are criticizing the U.S. Health Care system and I have yet to really see the problems they speak of. Recently I had a potential life threatening infection and I finally went to the emergency room at one of three local major hospitals. After what seemed like an eternal wait (it was only 2 hours altogether) I was diagnosed and received treatment for the pain and a referral to a local doctor for minor surgery to remove the infection. After waiting for my ride for an hour I was discharged and went to the local doctor for the treatment. When I arrived at the doctors office I started immediately on the single page of paperwork I had to fill out. Before I could complete it I was called back to the doctor. After an examination I was given a local anesthetic and received the needed treatment as well as antibiotics injection and a steroid injection as an anti-inflammatory medication. The hospital and Ear Nose & Throat physician informed me of what the problem was and the potential to be life threatening.

As it turns out I had Tonsilitus that resulted in peritonsillar abscess. I had not recognized the symptoms and as such I delayed my treatment long past the nearly unbearable pain and only sought treatment after my airway became restricted and breathing difficulty became a problem. I guess I will now better if it ever happens again.

Treatment is through surgical incision and removal of the infection, thereby relieving the pain of the stretched tissues. Antibiotics are also given to treat the infection.
Peritonsillar abscesses are widely considered one of the most painful complications, primarily the surgical draining of the abcess itself. The patient is operated on awake, surgically slicing open the tonsil and then draining the abscess from within by placing a suction tube within the opening.

Complications:
Parapharyngeal abscess
Extension of abscess in other deep neck spaces leading to airway compromise
Septicaemia

George Washington is believed to have died of complications arising from peritonsillar abscess.

James Gregory of the band The Ordinary Boys was almost killed by peritonsillar abscess because it was left untreated. ~ WikiPedia

My initial impression (while I was in pain and waiting) was that the system was obviously broken, however, in retrospect I feel very different. It has been several weeks and I have completely recovered which means I have no signs of infection, swelling, pain or otherwise, and I can eat again. I arrived at the hospital at about noon and I was on my way home - treated and medication in hand by 5pm including travel time. Oh, I almost forgot. I am one of those uninsured people that Michael Moore and others say can’t get health care in the U.S. or would die before I get it. Well just as before, I do not seek medical care often - only when it is needed. I rarely take prescription medications when prescribed and I rarely if ever get sick. When I do seek treatment I either pay outright for the doctor visit or go to the emergency department and pay the bill after it is sent. When I did have rather expensive health insurance many years ago I never used it and it was a tremendous waste of money through the years. I decided that even if not entirely responsible, it is cheaper to just pay as needed.

Now lets compare this to a Canadian citizen who needed treatment for a brain tumor and was made to wait and told he could not seek treatment elsewhere. Canada’s single payer health care system is not hat everyone says it is. Many Canadians are frustrated by the long wait which in some cases can extend into the years.





The Wall Street Journal has a brief examination of the French Health Care System as well.

Now we come to H.R. 676, which is proposed by Michael Moore and Dennis Kucinich in a video as being the solution.

… Michael Moore’s artistry as a documentary filmmaker is going to provide a tremendous boost for this legislation…

What? Artistry providing a tremendous boost for legislation? As a documentary filmmaker. I guess artistry is more important than truth when your pushing an agenda and want to make it popular.