Mark from Chicago IL , This issue is not about the competency of doctors in America. It's about the few white men in suits sitting in their lofty offices telling some average joe in Texas that he cannot seek the help of a competent doctor because that doctor is not on the list of the incompetent doctors insurance companies tell him to go to. Not to mention all the ridiculous reasons insurance companies use to deny customers services all because of profits. I'm just waiting for the day congress will decide to privitize law enforcement in this country. Heck the governent is getting away with healthcare privitization, why not law enforcement. And basically telling citizens of this country, the government will protect you from any physical harm but if your neighbor happens to put poison in your water, you are on your own.

steve, Virginia, U.S.

This article is not worthy of publication in the Times. It is self serving, biassed and derogratory. The US is one the best countries in the world: it is dynamic, fair and as a nation Americans are broad minded and helpful.
All Micheal Moore does is introduce a little debate into issues on poverty in particular, that the country has stopped addressing. In many instances his approach is somewhat extreme, in others too soft. But they are important issues that journalists & politicians in other advanced countries address all the time and demand solutions for them. That is happening less and less in the US and the rise of a permanent under class in the land of brave, home of the free is something that threatens to derail many of the values that make the US the great country it is.

baber, toronto, Canada

I completely agree. That Moore occasionally offers us an insight into aspects of US culture that are real & in turmoil I have no doubt, but if what he says is true then why not present it in a rational & well-balanced manner?!

I consider myself politically liberal, however Moore is a fundamentalist left-winger & like any other fundamentalist his inability to present anything without a heavy dose of his own subjective ideology is ultimately his undoing. You feel that he can't be trusted because he never portrays any information other than that which supports his cause. By doing this he treats his audience as idiots as there are always 2 sides to any story, no matter how seemingly black & white, & a well-balanced documentary will inevitably lead the viewer to the right conclusion anyway without the need to force it down their throats. Moore is clearly a clever guy, he just has no idea how to portray his arguments in a balanced & intelligent fashion.

Alex, Reading, UK

Diabetes. Cardiovascular disease. Prematurely worn out joints in need of surgical replacement. Low energy levels and low productivity. A booming trade in ultra-expensive bariatric surgery (a/k/a stomach stapling). All of these greatly add to US health care costs, and all are directly caused and/or significantly exacerbated by fat, overweight people who eat way too much and exercise way too little.

And now there are even reports (which should, perhaps, be greeted skeptically) that excess meat production - partly caused by excess meat consumption - adds to global warming.

So, if Mikey really wants to do something about our US health care system (and maybe even global warming), he should shut his overused pie hole, eat mostly fruits and vegetables, get on a treadmill, and work out 2 hours a day, 5 days a week.

Lead by example, Mikey, and don't hypocritically and irresponsibly ignore the contributing role of fat lifestyles like yours. We'd all be better off, even you.

John, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Who felt sorry for charlton heston? Old and frail, perhaps, but healthy enough to lead NRA rallies.

Harun, Basel, Switzerland

It's a fact that 15% of americans do not have health insurance (& that includes a good deal of children too) & so have no right to medical treatment. In poorer states like Texas, this rises to 25%. This is unacceptable in a civilised country.

Ironically the US pays the highest per capita for health care in the world whilst having lower statistical success in treatment than countries such as Canada that provide free treament. The UK's NHS may have it's faults but it does not barbarically ignore the poor, the underprivelleged and children.

Michael Moore also addresses other important even deeper issues - For example, how long can democracy continue to really prosper when the poorest 1/5 continue to get poorer whilst the richest 1/5 continue to get more favoritism (more tax breaks, as highlighted by Warrne Buffet). This very problem was addressed by President Roosevelt (one of the greatest US Presidents) in the 1930's.

Rudy E Parker, Cambridge, USA

If the US health industry is in such dire shape, why do so many foreigners--including canadians and western europeans--flock here for state-of-the-art treatment? American medical technology is so advanced, Germans come to the US for treatment they cannot recieve in their own country. Give credit where it's due. All the Marxist sappy rhetoric cannot deny the fact that Americans win more Nobel prizes in medicine than any other group--and the foreigners who do win Nobels for medicine almost all earn it while conducting research in the US. You're welcome, Michael Moore!

Mark, Chicago, IL

He may not get all of his facts right and perhaps it takes a hard-nosed, thick-skinned bully to do what he does, but wouldn't it be great if Britain had somebody of his ilk? Somebody to loudly and boisterously stir the public out of its torpor and into action against a government that has nothing but contempt for the opinions of the people who voted for it and pay for it to exist. Schools, crime, immigration,the EU, there is no end of work that our own Michael Moore could busy himself with.

Personally I wish that we had a thousand Michael Moores. As a nation we have become some passive and enfeebled, that we probably deserve what we get. America is lucky to have him.

Paul Jones, Luton, UK

I am a third world immigrant in canada.I am stunned that the richest country in the world,fighting wars costing billions daly,cannot afford complete health care for 40% of its citizens.This I understand is because USA economy is run by the "Corporate Mafia" wthout whose support, noone can become president,senator or congressman. 14,000 dying yearly by gun abuse is horrific. Naturally they are not bothered by the GIs dying in Iraq & Afghanistan.
USA needs many more Michael Moores.
Do ELECT one of them as president - not by fraud as Bush was.

P.Nathan, toronto, canada

I watched Bowling for Columbine my first year of college when a teacher showed it in class. I was crazy ti showed me how many crazy people there are out there. It was a movie that really opens your eyes.

Nicole, louisville, KY

Has Ms Marsh spent any time living in the US ?

Ed Wilson, Los Angeles

ed wilson, Los Angeles, USA

Nice. What about all those people who have no health care and can't get it done....ever?
And how much do you pay each year for health premiums?

Tim, Toronto,

Michael Moore is a man-sized pain in the bum, but he promotes discussion on issues that others won't. His scaremongering goes over the top, true, but children killing children, inept health services, and unelected, unintelligent presidents are topics that warrant our concern and attention.

Jane, Dublin,

Journalists hate Michael Moore for the same reason they hate John Pilger. Those two show up how gutless, ineffective, insular, compliant, talentless, lazy and pointless 95% of the press are.

eric campbell, harrogate, uk

I really don't understand you!!! Go and live in America, but with a working- class minimal wage... Thanks

Simone, london, united kingdom

Thomas Hendricks NYC: That's because you are COVERED BY HEALTH INSURANCE!!! DUH! Whereas millions and millions of us are not.

We are middle class professionals with homes and childrens and jobs and do not have access to health care because our employers do not offer it, or offer cut rate plans. Buying a policy on our own is a tremendous expense and would mean no groceries or mortgage.

It's an absolute mess

Sak, Detroit, MI, USA

Of course Charlton didn't kill anyone at Virginia Tech, but he and others like him are at least indirectly to blame for the lack of responsible comprehensive gun legislation in the U.S. The assault weapons ban was allowed to lapse, and even the Democrats are afraid to bring the ban up again in Congress for fear of the NRA. I agree that Moore's documentaries are far from unbiased, but it seems to me that most of today's media mavens are trying to be so "objective" that they are afraid to take a stand on anything, even when the facts amply justify it. As someone once said, "You don't have to balance fact with fiction to be objective."

Edward Powers, Houston, Texas

This world could use a few more Michael Moores. We all know that he is a bit of a sensationalist, but hey, he's a movie maker. The point is, that he is discussing sensitive issues in a contrasting light to what the rest of America's mainstream media.
As a Canadian, I am really concerned watching the US eroding their citizens civil liberties. It is a slow, methodical eroding process, probably not visable to many Americans, but very visible to your neighbours.
So chill out a bit on the Moore bashing and try to open your minds to what his real message is!

Scott, Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada

Hard to believe!!! but we are all allowed our own opinion.

At least I can be thankful that in my society I don't get killed for expressing it. There are a lot worse things in this world that someone giving an opinion. Any yes, opinions are biased, limited and in need of attention, that is why we express them.

I am more worried about the fact that I go to a video store and I have a choice of 500 videos filled with death, or two without death, but absolutely no intellectual value.

As a 5 year old girl told me yesterday, "Who wants to see kissing. The GUY DIES!! Its sooo cool. " [of a recent movie]

Now that is disturbing. You don't want to hear Mihael Moores opinion, don't listen. Pay more attention to what your kids are doing!

S, Huston, texas

Michael Moore certainly has his faults but he does have valid points to make about corporations, gun ownership and healthcare in the USA, and I say this as someone who doesn't subscribe to the left-wing philosophy. Big business has to be reminded - by legislation if need be - that they have a social responsibility as well an obligation to make profits; allowing virtually anyone of adult age to buy a gun will inevitably result in innocent people being killed; and it's indefensible that a country as rich as America doesn't provide free healthcare for its poorer citizens. Whatever Moore's flaws, the media - and the public - needs journalists who pose uncomfortable questions to those who wield power.

Stephen Massey, Glasgow,

Michael moore used to do Comedy with a political twist and his early works particullay TV Nation where very funny and sometimes thought provoking but his sucess seems to have gone to his head and he now takes himself far too seriously and evan seems to confuse his jokes with a realistic policy agenda.

Come on Michael lighten up and go back to doing comedy

JoeT, Ipswich,

As one of those "People from Michigan" (and therefore the US), I must say that Moore's viewpoints actually do a lot of good in that it forces discussion about topics that are sensitive, yet serious and need improvement. Stefanie, your confusing reviewers and the public. Although conservative reviewers may point out all the inaccuracies, the public isn't going to. The liberal public will argue for change; the conservative public will quietly hang their heads in shame.

Harry, Ann Arbor, USA/Michigan

No matter how bad he does it, at least you have someone to question a sad situation!

In Canada, I pay 0$ to go to the hospital... An yes it takes a while and it's long, but at least it's free!

Frank, Montreal, Qc, Can,

It's been apparent for some time that Michael Moore lives in a world devoid of paradox, dilemma, inconvenient fact, rocks and hard places - the Wonderful World of Student Politics (and Media Types). Effluence often flows from the opposite direction but that doesn't excuse his effluence. You're right to give the charlatan a kicking.

And Jarrar, Christopher Hitchens isn't right-wing - that's his brother, Peter.

Ken Leyland, Liverpool, U.K.

Marsh makes the mistake of thinking documentaries are about the truth. I imagine she witlessly thinks the same of history and the news and all media. Everyone has an angle. Be it her taking the Murdoch dollar writing for the Times or Michael Moore. History is largely written by the winners and from their perspective, so has little to do with the truth, whatever that may be. We are all very media savvy and literate and should have the wherewithal to accept an alternative opinion and critique the likes of Moore, Hitchens, Fox, News Corp, the BBC, CNN etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. and their polemic.

Benedict Bannister, Paris, France

Funny how Moore is a left wing HERO when he goes to LEFTWING Cuba with all it's RIGHTWING conservative laws and class system and lies about the great health care system - a system that benefits only the political class and not the people.

Why do so many people find his deception acceptable for such an ' honest' film maker ?

How does he ' speak truth to power' when he says nothing about the inequality and of Cuba's heatlth care system ?

Why is so ' corageous' but is silent when real tyranny exists ?

No system is perfect - the French ; Canadian or NHS or Australian Medicare are not perfect.

All these countries have smaller populations than the USA, so universal health care will not look like any of these nations.

Why deceive poeple into thinking this ? There will be a combination of public and private heath care ( probably like Australia ) hopefully but it will be unique system for the USA.

The devil is in the details.

Santanu Roy, Warren, USA

We pay (my husband and I no kids) $530 pm for basic medical coverage. This premium comes with deductables. $3000 for hospital stay overs and co-payments for doctors visits and lab work. I lived in England for ten years and run down (the fault of bad management who should be fired) or not. It is still the most civilised of all services that should be provided by a country to it's people. The older I get and more chance of life threatening illness, the more threat of bankruptcy looms. They will take everything to satisfy the cost of treatment, and with everything I have worked hard for taken away what would I have to live for? It's a catch 22. How ever bad Moores film is portrayed( I haven't seen it,) it's said to highlight the medical situation. The Medical situation in the worlds richest country is so shameful. I can only say I would take Englands NHS how ever broken over what is in place in the US of A.

Ann, Las Vegas, USA

"Feel sorry for Charlton Heston? I feel sorry for the victims of Virginia Tech."

Heston didn't kill anyone at Virginia Tech. It is possible to think Moore was pointlessly browbeating Heston AND also feel sorry for the victims of V.Tech. If Moore's message is right (and I believe it is) then he shouldn't need such dodgy editing techniques. They play into the hands of his enemies.

Andrew, London,

He is excellent...at least as good as Leni Riefenstahl.

Juan C. Marrero, Raleigh, NC, USA

So you don't like Michael Moore, some people do, some people don't, get over it. Balanced opinion you won't find here. I guess all we need now is the view of a Moore fan and balance will be restored...

Seriously I don't know why people slag off Moore with shallow subjective rubbish... I guess its just a case of which way the wind happens to be blowing ... interesting, informative opinion this is not ... yawn...

Mike Reddich, Milton Keynes,

The only thing that surprised me is how long it took for people to wake up to what Michael Moore is really like. I wonder if he realises that if radical Islam ever took over, it wouldn't praise him. In fact he would be one of the first to be stoned to death.

Paul Francis, Brisbane, Australia

Your comments on the NHS are not fair, sure it may have its problems but there are far many people happy or satisfied with the service than unhappy.

Thomas makes a great point.....for those with cash you can bypass the system in this country if you have the money.

Surely this is what the whole film is about???

Dean, NOTTINGHAM,

I walked out on Michael Moore at the Roundhouse. He is a hypocrite who pretends to be left-wing 'honest and compassionate' whilst secretly staying with his family at the Ritz hotel. It was his big mouth that lost the presidential election for Gore in Florida by telling the voters to vote for a third candidate. Those few votes made all the difference. He is making a fortune in books, 'T' shirts and baseball cap sales from his naive followers.

Anthony Lustigman, London, UK

Thomas, anyone can get that level of service, almost anywhere in the world - as long as you can cough up the cash to pay for it.

Bukowski, Dubai,

I have to agree with Thomas (about the quality of the american system). Living both in the States and here in the UK, I've found the UK system to be the biggest rip-off. I pay enough (in taxes) for 2 full families private health care in the american "insurance"- style system, and have had to wait 2 months to see a physio about a torn muscle.

As for Michael Moore; does he realise that the NHS debates whether someone like him should or should have access to certain treatments (e.g., knee replacement) because of his weight? And lets not mention Herceptin or screening for bowel and colon cancers. Good luck getting a GP to refer you here, yet in the States it's so highly recommended they practically send you an appointment whether you request it or not.

Mr. King, Manchester,

He's always struck me as being too bumptious to be a good investigative reporter, and too strident to be a good satirist. Maybe he can't decide which of these he wants to be, or maybe he thinks there's a niche market somewhere in between the two.

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

i have had the chance to view sicko and i have to disagree about the 'rose tinted view of the nhs' comment. The point that moore tries to make is....compared to america it is free, prescriptions for over 100 tablets are only £6.65, not thousands of dollars. GP's do earn £85,000+ a year, and although I dont own one a £500,000 house in london, is not uncommon in this current over inflated market. every one is missing the point of this, the NHS is far from perfect (I should know I work in it!!), but if you accidently saw off your finger, it aint gonna cost you $60,000 dollars....only what you can afford to pay in NI contributions, each month.

michael Boland, rochford, essex

Stefanie:
You may like or dislike Moore, but if he wouldn't act the way he does you wouldn't even write about him. So to drag a nuisance to the public you need to be shrill.

Martin, Hamburg, Germany

We seem to live in a world, and an age, where contradictory information is hurled at us from all directions and from all sources. Not all of it can be true, but it can spark much needed debate at a time when the general populus are apathetic to anything outside their own day-to-day lives.

We are at war, yet the loss of life no longer shocks. The images of distruction have lost all impact and it all seems to be happening very far away.

We have international and domestic issues that need addressing, and at the very least, Michael Moore's work generates interest in these topics.

I admire the man for at least trying to wake people up and see some of the injustices that not only exist, but thrive within the 'developed' world.

What happens next is not his concern, but ours.

Gary Southon, St.Albans, England

The NHS isn't that great. They lost my ECG! The doctor had dirty finger nails too!

mitch, manchester,

Sure Michael Moore may be a little selective with his facts but unlike Bush or Blair he doesn't lie consistently to justify his existence. The reason Moore is targeted by many neo-con press barons in America is purely because he has the nerve to raise real issues that are uncomfortable by administrations like Bush's. In the 'land of the free' its surprising how un-free the journalists are to put forward opposing viewpoints or dare to criticize their president. Unlike our Queen who stays out of politics a US president is fair game for attacking and shouldn't be treated with kid gloves.

Mike, Alicante, Spain

More power to Michael Moore. He is one of a only a few honest, compassionate, left wing types in America allowed airtime. Most of the networks there (FOX and co) just spew right wing venom and any alternatives views are not given airtime or drowned out. Even if Moore does use selective editing or his views are a little skewed, it is nothing in comparison to what he is up against. Feel sorry for Charlton Heston and the NRA scum? No chance! These are the same people who set up in Columbine the day after to proclaim "Guns don't kill, people do". Feel sorry for Charlton Heston? I feel sorry for the victims of Virginia Tech.

Rod Polisher, Scunthorpe, UK

Moore might be a left wing headcase....but as long as there are right wing headcases like Hitchens....ill happily have Moore on our screens and on the bookshelves...if only as a balancing act ....its often easy for the truth to be distorted by left/right wing bias but theres always an underlayer of truth...and we are a better society/culture for having people like Moore who are willing to stand up and speak their minds NO matter how negative teh reaction may be then a bunch of neuterd politicans bending over backwards to accomadate pressure groups, lobbys, big buisness and donors, than the people tehy are supposed to represent...perhaps ones anger should be directed at people who advocate more guns in a country where its fashionable to go on killing sprees...or at a medical system inaccessible to poor etc etc...its easy to attack the man but not the message.....

Jarrar, Birmingham, United Kingdom

My doctor told me that elderly men (me) should have an ultrasound test of their aorta so I called at 3:00 PM on Friday afternoon to schedule the test. It was done at 9:00 AM Monday morning. While admittedly our system has problems, I doubt that there are many other countries where one can get such rapid service for this kind of care.

Thomas Hendricks, New York City,