Moore: U.S. healthcare system still plenty 'SiCKO'

The general consensus at the fifth anniversary celebration of Michael Moore's documentary "SiCKO" was that both the subjects featured in the movie and the American healthcare system are still sick.

Filmmaker Moore spoke to a packed, overheated house - with no available air conditioning - about the making of the film as well as the "watered down" Affordable Care Act that was upheld last week by the Supreme Court.

The fundraising event was organized by two nonprofit organizations in support of single-payer healthcare, Vermont's Public Assets Institute and Philadelphia-based Healthcare-NOW. Moore argued that while Thursday's Supreme Court decision marked some headway, it still falls short.

Obama originally supported single-payer healthcare, Moore said, and the fact that he has backpedaled is disappointing. The enthusiasm of the 2008 election has dissipated, he argued, and "people will still vote for him, but they won't bring ten people with them to the polls."

Also on stage was Wendell Potter, a former health insurance company PR executive, who told his story of how he couldn't in good conscience keep promoting an industry that he felt put patients' welfare last.

"SiCKO," released in 2007, heavily criticized the American healthcare system through real-world examples of citizens who were either denied insurance for pre-existing conditions, faced with insurmountable deductibles and co-pays despite having insurance, or refused life-saving hospital treatment.

The panel also included people who were featured in the film as "victims" of the American healthcare system.

"We're still sick after all these years," said Reggie Cervantes, a 9/11 responder who ended up with serious respiratory issues after volunteering. She choked through tears as she told the audience that her life and medical condition have not changed.

Moore ended the event by fielding some questions from the audience. One asked why he doesn't make a documentary about the Occupy movement.

"I've been making that movie for 30 years. Roger and Me, Bowling for Columbine, Capitalism: A Love Story," he replied.

He said he is not currently working on a new film, but is rather "walking," referring to a movement he is popularizing through Twitter to take a walk every night.