Sicko: Michael Moore's documentary film on health care & to rescue rescuers - 9/11 heroes

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Fox News: "Filmmaker Michael Moore’s brilliant and uplifting new documentary, “Sicko,” deals with the failings of the U.S. health care system, both real and perceived. But this time around, the controversial documentarian seems to be letting the subject matter do the talking, and in the process shows a new maturity."

Hollywood Elsewhere: “I have to say that I went into this documentary with limited expectations, but I came out teary-eyed. " "It’s not just an eye-opener, in short, but a movie that opens your emotional pores."

A Tribute to the 9/11 Health Care Heroes Featured in Michael Moore's Sicko Documentary Film

9/11 First-responder Reggie Cervantes, 46, formerly of Queens, said she couldn't afford treatment for her mounting health problems in the U.S. "I didn't have the money to get the medical care," said Cervantes, an EMT who helped set up triage units at Ground Zero and now suffers from damage to her lungs and kidneys.

Health Insurance Casualty Of The Day: Reggie Cervantes – Oklahoma City, Ok

7 years later, the now Oklahoma City resident faces homelessness and battles to qualify her two young kids for medical care. She is terrified that her own 9/11-related illnesses–including early stage pulmonary fibrosis, acid reflux, and PTSD–may claim her ability to be there for her children. Bravely disregarding her own safety, Reggie Cervantes joined the legions of rescue workers who raced to the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001 in order to save anyone they could. Politicians would later praise Reggie and her fellow heroes for their courage and selflessness. But she has struggled with 9/11-related health issues ever since.

9-11 attacks continue to haunt US health

John Walcott, former Nypd detective: You would walk down one street and the smoke and the black soot would be up to my waist. I'm six foot two inches tall. Next street there'd be cars on fire, buildings on fire. Next street there'd be nothing.

On September 11, 2001, as thousands of people battled to get out of New York City, detective John Walcott rushed into the maelstrom - the chaos of what would become known as Ground Zero. They did anything from the bucket brigade of digging, security of the site, searching the buildings to see if there were any people trapped or deceased inside or surrounding buildings. John Walcott spent the next six months in the area. In the first weeks in this filthy, choking environment, he and many others worked without respirators. Former EMT John Graham, 45, of Paramus, N.J., who also suffered lung and kidney damage after working at the World Trade Center site, can't understand why the workers are being investigated for seeking help. "We're just fighting to live," he said.

9/11: Still Killing

Former FDNY Firefighter Ralph Geidel: When we first got there it was actually like working inside of a volcano - it was extremely hot. We were digging by hand. There was this orange-yellowish smoke coming out. Our skin was turning maroon. We were hoping to find someone alive but it was just bodies. I knew my brother Gary had a skin graft on his heel. I removed firefighters' socks and boots trying to find him. It was horrible from day one to the very end - it was a nightmare.

ABC

TRACEY BOWDEN: Documentary maker Michael Moore has also bought into the topic in his latest film on the American health system.

Michael Moore, documentary maker: Heroes of 9/11 deserve to be at the front of the line of the people who should be getting help.

In a key moment in the film, Moore takes a group of patients by boat to the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba because of its outstanding medical care. [Framed by three 9/11 rescue workers now suffering an array of health ailments, he puts bullhorn to mouth, as the camera cuts to a watchtower on Guantanamo Bay. Moore pleads, “Permission to enter. I have three 9/11 rescue workers. They just want some medical attention, the same kind that Al Qaeda is getting. They don't want any more than you're giving the evildoers, just the same." (Excerpt from Sicko)]

9/11 heroes may get health care cuts while hospital fights government

Nearly 2,000 sick 9/11 first responders could be left without medical care while a New Jersey hospital battles with the federal government for more money, the Daily News has learned.

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Photos courtesy of cinematical.com; Allan Tannenbaum, and MichaelMoore.com

Original Source: /Film, Daily Kos, guaranteedhealthcare.org, ABC, Fox News, NY Daily News, and 9/11: Still Killing

Related Links: Firefighter Nation and How to Help the September 11th Rescue Workers