The Michael Moore movie “Sicko” has not even hit the theaters yet but there is a lot of buzz concerning the film.
Although no system is perfect, Moore contrasted the US for profit health care system with socialized systems in Canada, the United Kingdom, France and even Cuba.
The French provide health care to all residents who have lived in the country for at least three months. In the year 2000 the French introduced the CMU (couverture maladie universelle) which covers everyone that was not covered by their securite sociale. Households with less than 6,609 euros per year get free coverage.
There are fees involved to see a physician in France, and these fees may vary according to type of doctor and the time of day. Fees are typically higher on Sunday and at night. There are no referrals required to see a specialist. Although there are both private and public hospitals in France, most people choose doctors who work with the securite sociale.
Doctors who work on their own fee schedules are only reimbursed up to the standard securite sociale fee. The French government covers 70% of most health care costs, and 100% in case of costly or long-term ailments. Supplemental coverage can be bought separately.
This morning “Sicko” was available for download on Google Video, but at the time of this writing the movie seems to have disappeared. This is the original link. I’m not sure of the link will work in the future.
“There are no referrals required to see a specialist.”
Just a clarification, nowadays referrals (since 2005) are required for all but a few specialists, this has been put in place by the securite sociale by means of the “medecin traitant” Specialists that can be consulted without referral include eyedoctors and a few others. If you are not referred by your GP, reimbursments are limited.
Thanks for clarifying that. I suppose MM made this part of his movie before the rules were changed.