The Young Democrats at West Virginia University presented the Michael Moore's 2007 film “Sicko” Monday to show how badly the country needs health care reform.
Nora Browning, chair of the Dems' event planning committee, said, “We want to inform students about how the current health care system fails, and this movie tells personal stories about those who are affected.” The film also explores other countries' health care systems.
The WVU Young Democrats also offered educational fliers and materials to accompany the film.
According to a report by the Commonwealth Fund, young people account for 30 percent of the uninsured population. Currently, 249,400 residents of West Virginia do not have health insurance according to the US Census Bureau.
President of the club, Erin Beck, opened the floor after the movie for open discussion. Students with differing opinions could get on their “soapbox” to offer their own perspectives.
She said students were able to “express their views and personal experiences, hopefully causing the others to think and maybe reconsider their own [viewpoints]."
More from the Daily Athenaeum at the University of West Virginia
More from WVU Today
Issue: Civic Participation