"The doctor will see you now," says a Hollywood publicist as she opens a door for a reporter at Los Angeles city hall.

Alone inside a conference room there is Michael Moore, who has just finished speaking at a rally outside with supporters of universal health coverage for Americans.

An Academy Award winner for the 2002 gun-control documentary "Bowling for Columbine" and the filmmaker behind 2004's President Bush-bashing "Fahrenheit 9/11," Moore returns with "Sicko," his dissection of the nation's health-care infirmities.

Moore, 53, presents horror stories of Americans who have gone bankrupt and lost loved ones after health insurers denied coverage. He contrasts public health-care coverage in Canada, Great Britain and France with the U.S. private system. He visits Cuba for treatment of ailing Sept. 11 rescue workers, a trip that has prompted the U.S. Treasury Department to investigate Moore for potential violations of the trade embargo prohibiting travel there.

Moore sat down with the AP to discuss how "Sicko" will resonate with audiences and policy-makers on the health-care issue.

AP: In "Sicko," you stop to ask what's wrong with a nation that might put profit ahead of people's welfare. Do you view your whole body of work as a sort of diagnosis of a sick society?

Moore: That's probably a good way to put it. I clearly got into this in part because I love the movies, and so the idea of making a movie seemed like an exciting thing to do. But then the stories I wanted to tell seemed to be pretty much based around an America that I thought could do better. And I believe that we're capable of much more.

AP: What effect do you hope "Sicko" has on the health-care debate?

Moore: I went to some of the screenings last weekend, both in New York and the sneak previews last Saturday. People were leaving the theaters ready to ask the ushers, "Can you direct me to the torches?" I think the health-insurance industry, the pharmaceutical companies are in for some pretty bad times here. I don't think people are going to tolerate this any more. They're going to demand legislation. They're going to demand that we have universal health care.

AP: At the end of the movie, you encourage people to eat their fruits and veggies and go for a walk. Are you following your own advice?

Moore: I've been going for a walk every day and losing some weight. Eating a little different. I'm feeling a little better right now. A little more energy. While I was finishing the film, sitting in the editing room, I just started thinking, geez, I'm seeing myself on the screen. This is so hypocritical. You're making a health-care film, and you're not taking care of your own health. So I just started doing it. I've lost about 30 pounds. I've got a ways to go, but yeah.

AP: Have you had any health-care nightmares of your own?

Moore: I've been very lucky. I have not had any serious illness or whatever. Tonsils and appendix, that's my health-care history. I think genetics do play a lot in this. My grandfather lived to 88, my grandmother lived to 95. These things certainly help. And since belonging to the Directors Guild, I've had great union health coverage that most Americans don't have, because most Americans don't belong to a union.

AP: You assailed President Bush over the Iraq war in your Oscar speech for "Bowling for Columbine." If you got a chance to make another Oscar speech, would you play nice?

Moore: I will always be true to myself, and I will always follow my conscience, but I also am a person who is very appreciative of those who are thanking me for the work that I do. And I think there's something to be said for being a good guest when you're in someone's house. My films have a mix of comedy and tragedy. I've given my tragic Oscar speech. If I was lucky enough to have that happen again, I think I will roll with the comedy this time.