… with the help of at least one BMG denizen!
Filmmaker Moore targeting healthcare
Muckraking filmmaker Michael Moore is hoping folks in Massachusetts can help him with his next movie. Moore’s peeps have sent out an e-mail asking Bay Staters to share their stories about battling the healthcare system. The controversial director, whose last movie, “Fahrenheit 9/11,” focused on the events surrounding Sept. 11, is hard at work on something called “Sicko,” which producers say will “fight for quality healthcare.” Among those who received Moore’s missive was Ann Eldridge Malone at Mission Hill-based Alliance to Defend Health Care. Malone told us yesterday that she managed to find a few people interested in participating in the project. After “Fahrenheit 9/11,” you might recall, Moore was sued by Iraq war veteran Peter Damon of Middleborough, who claims the director misrepresented his stand on the war.
Ann Eldridge-Malone is our own AnnEM. Congratuations on the mention Ann!
This seems like the perfect subject for Michael Moore. I can imagine several of the folks profiled in the book “Uninsured in America” telling their stories to Moore; their stories have just that mix of pain and absurdity that he’s drawn to. And, I would guess that partisan politics will play significantly less of a role in the upcoming film than in Fahrenheit 911 and Bowling for Columbine. In spite of the lawsuit, Moore can be pretty good at letting ordinary people tell their stories; one hopes that he’ll get out of their way as much as possible.
so here’s the email I previously sent out with the contact info at the end. Feel free to pass it on:
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Dear Health Advocate Friends,
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Michael Moore’s next documentary film, “Sicko,” will attempt to tackle
the American health care system and tell the stories of the millions
of U.S. residents who struggle under our commercial profit-driven health care
system, or who end up falling through the cracks altogether. One of the
film production Co team refers to the film’s goal as “fighting for
quality healthcare”. We can all relate to that!!
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Moore’s Goldfarb Production Co. team is looking for individuals and
families in Massachusetts who can tell their story. The Alliance to
Defend Health Care was called, as were many other groups. Below is an
email that details what Moore and Co. are looking for. Feel free to
contact David or Jessica directly and to forward this email on to
others. Thanks. In solidarity and in health, Ann
—
Ann Eldridge Malone, RN
Alliance to Defend Health Care
1534 Tremont St, Mission Hill, MA 02120
617-541-3300 cell 617-784-6367
http://www.DefendHealth.org
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8-17-06
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Dear Ann
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I am e-mailing on the behalf Michael Moore’s production company. We
are looking for three cases to include in our film that we thought you
might be a good resource of information. Here are the criteria of
someone we are looking for. [ One story/ patient/ person would have
all 3 of these elements in their situation] :
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1) Someone currently fighting for healthcare
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2) Fighting insurance, hospitals, pharmaceuticals, healthcare
provider, etc. *** we prefer someone who is insured and having
problems
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3) Someone who would be willing to be involved and someone who needs our help
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Please feel free to e-mail me at this address (dmroth@eden.rutgers.edu) or
call our office at (212) 399-2498 ext.236. Thank you!
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~David Rothstad
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or ~Jessica Munna
jessmunna@gmail.com
(212) 399-2498 ext.222. Thank you!