MichaelMoore.com

'Sicko' spotlights Hartland grad's woes

By Kristofer Karol / Daily Press & Argus

LIVINGSTON, MI -- A 2000 Hartland High School graduate who was featured prominently in the Michael Moore flick "Sicko" is speaking up for the need for universal health care in the United States.

The movie explores health-care systems in several countries and features Adrian Campbell explaining how one of her Canadian friends listed her as a common-law spouse so she get cheaper medication across the border.

Campbell, who is uninsured and living in Waterford Township, plans on being on the board of directors for the American Patients for Universal Health Care advocacy group, which is being formed by one of her co-stars.

"We should build it to make it our own system, not just copy England's — make it our own system to work for us," said Campbell, who is also a 2003 Cleary University graduate. "Make the politicians stop taking all the money in from the pharmaceutical companies."

Campbell, a 25-year-old single mother, said she wanted health insurance for her daughter, but got contradictory responses from private and federally funded health plans, one saying she made too much money and the other saying she didn't make enough.

"I was right in between this crack of the federal poverty line," Campbell said. "It's like, why should my child, my daughter, go without health insurance?"

So, she went to Canada to get her medical needs fulfilled. She said there is even a Web site, www.Hook-A-Canuck.com, that was inspired by her story.

Yet, state Rep. Chris Ward, R-Brighton, said while an overhaul in health care is needed, he wouldn't want it to be solely funded by the government.

"I think if you compare the United States' health-care systems with some of the other major industrialized countries that do have a national health-care system, our rate of recovery of patients ... is much better than theirs."

Ward said the consumer should also always have the choice of health plans.

He added a hybrid system might work well, pointing to Massachusetts, which has mandated all residents must have health insurance and, if they cannot afford to do so, the state supplies assistance programs.

Britain, Ward noted, is also looking into expanding the privatized health-care system to run along with its government-operated system to address patients' needs that cannot be met through the latter.

Still, Tim Eckels, vice president of public policy with Trinity Health, which owns 45 hospitals in seven states, including Saint Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital in Howell, supports universal health care.

"Because we're a faith-based system, we have taken a very strong position in terms of universal health care access and coverage," Eckels said. "The fact that there are 45 million people without insurance is both immoral and a pragmatic problem for our nation."

Consequently, Trinity Health has established a list of nine detailed "essential elements" required for health-care reform, including subsidies and vouchers for low-income populations and required participation by everyone. The list can be found online at www.trinityhealth.org.

Eckels said there is a way to support both government and private plans.

Meanwhile, Campbell said she hopes people will come out and see "Sicko," and that lawmakers and citizens can put politics to the side.

While Livingston County "tends to be more Republican" and might not be as favorable to Moore's views as other counties, Campbell noted, "Illness knows no political party."