Healthcare raps Moore 'Sicko' documentary

NEW YORK, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- The healthcare industry is pre-emptively attacking Michael Moore's 2007 documentary "Sicko."

The $1.5 trillion industry expects the documentary by the filmmaker who ripped apart Detroit automakers with "Roger and Me" to be one-sided and biased, Advertising Age reported.

"A review of America's healthcare system should be balanced, thoughtful and well-researched to pin down what works and what needs to be improved," said Ken Johnson, a senior vice president for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. "You won't get that from Michael Moore."

Pfizer, AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline advised their employees not to speak to Moore when he began his research last year, Advertising Age said. It is not known whether any HMOs or drug companies will appear in the film.

Moore would not discuss the movie in detail, but wrote on his Web site: "I don't think the country needs a movie that tells you that HMOs and the pharmaceutical companies suck. Everybody knows that. I'd like to show you some things you don't know."