British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Money-Driven Medicine

Synopsis
A film exploring the medical-industrial complex and the consequent high cost and poor quality of America’s health care system. It confronts the myths about what’s driving healthcare costs and quality, and aims to educate and help organise around the comprehensive changes needed to reform the US medical care system. Based on Maggie Mahar’s book, ‘Money Driven Medicine: The Real Reason Health Care Costs So Much’, the film offers a behind-the-scenes look at the $2.6 trillion healthcare system, how it went so terribly wrong and what it will take to fix it. Medical ethicist Larry Churchill doesn’t mince words: "The current medical care system is not designed to meet the health needs of the population. It is designed to protect the interests of insurance companies, pharmaceutical firms, and to a certain extent organised medicine. It is designed to turn a profit. It is designed to meet the needs of the people in power."
Language
English
Country
United States
Year of release
2009
Year of production
2009
Subjects
Business studies; Economics; Medical sciences; Politics & government
Keywords
economic issues; health care; pharmaceutical industry; political debate; United States of America; welfare services

Credits

Director
Andrew Fredericks
Producer
Alex Gibney
Writer
Maggie Mahar

Distribution Formats

Type
DVD
Format
Region 1 NTSC
Price
$195.00
Availability
Sale
Duration/Size
86 minutes
Year
2009

Production Company

Name

Jigsaw Productions

Distributor

Name

California Newsreel

Email
contact@newsreel.org
Web
http://www.newsreel.org External site opens in new window
Phone
+1 877 811 7495
Fax
+1 802 846 1850
Address
Order Dept
PO Box 2284
South Burlington
VT 05407-2284
USA
Notes
California Newsreel produces and distributes documentaries on social justice issues. The range of films promotes the advancement of racial justice and diversity, the study of African American life and history as well as African culture and politics. A recently added thematic focus is the global economy, with an emphasis on the international division of labour.

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