Profits Over People: Healthcare Under Capitalism

The U.S. healthcare system is a horrific for-profit enterprise owned by billionaires. Over the past few weeks, the collective discontent towards the healthcare system has reverberated in our workplaces and in social media discourse following the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

On Saturday, Dec 21, join the PSL for a viewing of the still-relevant Michael Moore documentary from 17 years ago, SICKO, that explores how the US healthcare system compares to other models in the West, including the socialist healthcare model in Cuba.

Healthcare in the US very clearly draws out all the contradictions of living under capitalism. Despite being the most expensive healthcare industry in the world, it is near the bottom in life expectancy, treatment outcomes and patient safety. Millions of people owe thousands of dollars in medical debt, and rely on crowdfunding platforms to pay bills.

Ultimately, the capitalist healthcare system puts profits first, not people’s lives. How do we organize against the rule of the billionaires and fight for a system in which healthcare is a guaranteed human right? We will discuss these questions and more following the film viewing!