In Sicko, Michael Moore travels to various countries such as Canada, France, and Cuba to compare their health care systems to that of the United States. He argues that while these countries have their flaws, they prioritize the health and well-being of their citizens over profits for the health care industry.
Moore interviews individuals who have been denied coverage or have gone bankrupt due to medical bills, as well as employees of insurance companies who have been instructed to deny coverage to save money. He also highlights the influence of big pharmaceutical companies on the health care industry, including their ability to manipulate prices and advertise directly to consumers.
One of the most notable scenes in the film is when Moore takes a group of 9/11 first responders, who had been denied medical coverage for their illnesses related to the attacks, to Cuba for treatment. The footage of the responders being treated with compassion and without financial burden contrasts sharply with their experiences in the United States.
Sicko sparked debate about the need for reform in the health care industry and inspired many to advocate for universal health care. However, it also received criticism for its portrayals of other countries' health care systems, with some arguing that it oversimplified complex issues and ignored their flaws.