"Sicko" Patients in the Spotlight Again

By Staff Writer
KCBS
February 25, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)  -- Filmmaker Michael Moore, whose health care documentary "Sicko" was nominated, but did not win last night at the Academy Awards, says he doubts either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton have what it takes to deliver true reform in America.

Moore says unfortunately not a lot of good things have happened since the film was made.

”I still get dozens of letters every day from people who are being abused by the so-called health care system,” said Moore.

Donna Smith was a patient featured in the documentary. She now works as a spokeswoman for the California Nurses Association.

”As the months wore on, my Cobra benefits expired and I could no longer afford private insurance, and no one would cover me as a cancer survivor,” said Smith.

She's covered now, but says that until millions of other Americans are also covered, health care reform and specifically universal single-payer coverage must become a top priority in Washington.