The Myth About Those 47-50 Million Uninsured Americans
By: Pam On: Jul/18/07 - 6 Comments
And a few other pesky facts, including the Michael Moore Fact Myth Sheet :
Myth: According to Michael Moore’s Web site, the Associated Press misreported the number of uninsured in America in a story they wrote about incorrect data in his film “SiCKO.” AP said Moore inflated the number of uninsured people in the U.S. to 50 million. Moore’s Web site countered the AP claim and justified his figure by quoting a U.S. Census Bureau report – “Research shows health insurance coverage is underreported in the [census Current Population Survey - Annual Social and Economic Supplement] for a variety of reasons.” Fact: The U.S. Census Bureau report does indeed admit they underreported their insured number. However, Moore twisted the numbers to support the exact opposite of the report’s conclusion. The number of uninsured is actually less than what the U.S. Census Bureau report states, not more as Moore’s Web site portrayed it, according to report co-author Cheryl Hill Lee.
Myth: “There are nearly 50 million Americans without health insurance.” – Michael Moore’s Web site, citing the movie “SiCKO.”
Fact: According to the same U.S. Census Bureau report referenced on Moore’s Web site above, there are only roughly 37 million without health insurance if only actual U.S. citizens are included. – “Income, Poverty and Health Insurance: Coverage in the United States: 2005,” the U.S. Census Bureau.Myth: Moore keeps insisting health care is free in the United Kingdom and France and that we must adopt that in the United States.“And the first way that they [the British after World War I] decided to pull together after the war was to provide free medical care for everyone.” – Michael Moore, “SiCKO”
“It is free.” – Michael Moore, July 10 “Larry King Live” program, referring to the French health care system.
Fact: It isn’t free.
In France
“It’s funded through a 13.55 percent payroll tax, a 5.25 percent income tax and other taxes on tobacco, alcohol and drug-company revenues. And the system is still running a $15.6 billion deficit.” – “Moore’s Sick Rx,” by Michael D. Tanner, CATO Institute.
In the United Kingdom
“It goes without saying that healthcare on the NHS isn’t free. But just how unfree it is gets too little attention. We pay for it through our noses, every month. Next year’s NHS budget will be about £104 billion. That’s roughly £1,733 per man, woman and child. Multiplied by four for a typical two-child family, then divided by 12, that equates to median monthly family healthcare expenditure of £577, or $1,155 in American money. I can buy some very respectable US health insurance for $1,155 a month.” – “Michael, keep away. The NHS is a rip-off,” by Giles Whittell, The Times of London.Myth: Moore claimed in “Stupid White Men” that he didn’t own any stock.
Fact: “That year, he reported to the IRS that his foundation had more than $280,000 in corporate stock and close to $100,000 in corporate bonds,” – “Do As I Say (Not As I Do): Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy,” by Peter Schweizer.Myth: Moore in his 1989 film “Roger & Me” attempted to get an interview with Roger Smith, the chairman of General Motors. Moore depicted his attempt to get the interview as a failure because Smith never granted him the interview.
Fact: “For Roger Smith, CEO of GM, had in fact granted a lengthy interview on-film, at the early phase of Moore’s first famous foray in ‘reality-feature’ propaganda. Not that you’ll see that long-ago display of lying – Moore’s film then asserted throughout that Smith was avoiding him as he staked out GM offices, Smith’s home, etc. – to be any reason for Hollywood to dismiss his newest crop of lies.” – “Michael and Me,” by Steve Finefrock, Hollywood Forum
Please read Health Care Lie: ‘47 Million Uninsured Americans’ , for more information!
July 18, 2007 - 07:25 PM on July 18th, 2007
Yes, but you have to admit the “spirit” of what he has to say is pretty much dead-on.
For instance, latest news today in our area is that our major health insurance carrier Anthem is lowballing mental health providers so bad that most of them have had to pull out of Anthem’s network.
AND they did this shortly AFTER negotiating contracts with several major companies and governments in the area …
July 19, 2007 - 06:16 AM on July 19th, 2007
When you boil down the numbers, the figure for uninsured it really around 12-18 million. Many of those are out of choice- young people who choose to pocket the money instead of paying for health insurance so they can buy that high end stereo system of drive a beameer, as some examples.
July 19, 2007 - 06:51 AM on July 19th, 2007
You certainly have that right Ted. A family member who just last year decided not to have the money taken out for health insurance broke his leg; compound fracture in three places. A week in shock trauma, a surgery, and a follow up surgery three weeks later were all paid for by who I don’t know but it wasn’t him I can assure you. They did NOT turn him down for treatment.
July 19, 2007 - 06:52 AM on July 19th, 2007
PS…he has been admonished endlessly by his family for making such a poor choice but that’s another story.
July 19, 2007 - 07:25 AM on July 19th, 2007
Ted, I’ve hesitated to use him as an example, but my husband has employees, women in this case, that do turn down the insurance and it just infuriates him. They pocket the money, and because they have kids, they are entitled to that wonderful “free” healthcare for the kids, but I am not sure what they are thinking for themselves, as they are s.o.l. if something happens …
July 19, 2007 - 07:31 AM on July 19th, 2007
3,4,5,
I can understand why a single person who is 20 would turn down health insurance- the risk of hospitalization is minimal and it may not be a bad choice for them. Those are the folks I am referring to that are the amoung the 12-18 million I am referring to.
While those examples you’ve given seem scary and irresponsible, I don’t think that’s as big a chunk as the example I’ve given. However, they have to be counted too.