Sunday, July 15, 2007

Americans cheer SiCKO, but not all convinced | U.S. | Reuters

Americans cheer SiCKO, but not all convinced | U.S. | Reuters: "By Andrea Hopkins

CINCINNATI (Reuters) - Fresh from the hospital and still hurting from a $757 prescription drug bill, moviegoer Ron Jackson emerged from a screening of Michael Moore's documentary on the U.S. health system feeling outraged and exuberant.

'It's a great movie,' said Jackson, 63. 'I have insurance, and I still paid over $700 for one prescription -- just 30 days' worth. They've let Wall Street control the whole thing, it's as plain as the nose on my face.'

Weeks into the staggered release of Moore's 'SiCKO' across the United States, moviegoing Americans have revived the debate over national health care -- a staple in most of the developed world, but long resisted in the United States.

Health-care reform is a hot topic in the 2008 presidential campaign, and a slew of candidates have promised changes to bring better care to both insured Americans and the nation's 45 million uninsured.

Atia Huff, 64, said she was heartened by the applause that broke out at the end of the movie but worried only those who already agreed with Moore's outlook would bother to attend.

'I think it's preaching to the choir,' Huff said.

Moore won an Academy Award for 2002's anti-gun documentary 'Bowling for Columbine.' He made more enemies -- and drew the label 'enemy"

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