Michael Moore's film Sicko explores the U.S. health-care system and compares it to other nations' health-care systems through the eyes of everyday people. One segment tells the story of a little girl in the United States who needed an expensive surgery to restore her hearing. The insurance company agreed to perform the surgery on one ear, but not both. They reasoned that the child would be able to hear out of one ear and didn't really need to have hearing in both. The child's parents sent a letter to the insurance company explaining that they were being interviewed by Moore for the film, adding, "Has your CEO ever been in a film before?" Shortly after this, the insurance company notified the family that the child's surgery had been approved. Which theory best explains this family's experience?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The theory of conflict suggests that societal inequalities and power imbalances lead to conflicts between those in power and those without. In this case, the insurance company had the power to deny the child's surgery, and the family had to resort to using their connection with Michael Moore and employing a veiled threat to get the insurance company to approve the surgery. This illustrates the power imbalance present in the U.S. healthcare system and the conflicts that can arise as a result.

Michael Moore's Film Sicko Explores the U