Watch Article 99

Article 99 is a drama film from 1992 which explores a fictionalized version of the healthcare system in the United States. The film stars Ray Liotta, Kiefer Sutherland, and Forest Whitaker in lead roles. The story revolves around a group of doctors working at a veterans hospital run by the Veterans Administration in Kansas City, Missouri. They are tasked with treating patients who are veterans of various wars and their healthcare is covered by the government, but the hospital has numerous problems. The equipment is outdated, the staff is overworked, and the hospital is consistently over capacity due to the influx of patients.

The film's title, Article 99, refers to a clause in the Veterans Administration's regulations which states that veterans are only entitled to government-funded medical care for conditions directly related to their military service. Any other medical condition falls outside of this umbrella and must be treated by the veteran's personal insurance or paid out of their own pockets. This leaves many veterans struggling to pay for medical care they desperately need.

Liotta plays Dr. Peter Morgan, a surgeon who has recently been transferred to the veterans hospital after speaking out against the administrator of his previous hospital. He is joined by Dr. Richard Sturgess, played by Sutherland, who is optimistic and dedicated to his patients despite the challenges he faces. Whitaker plays Dr. Sid Handleman, a psychiatrist who becomes increasingly frustrated with the bureaucratic hurdles he must navigate in order to provide the best possible care for his patients.

The three doctors are initially excited to start working at the hospital, but quickly become disillusioned with the system they find themselves in. Patients are turned away at the door due to lack of space, doctors are forced to use outdated equipment during surgeries, and new medications are not covered by the government program.

As the doctors work to try and improve the hospital's conditions, they are met with resistance from the hospital's administrator, Dr. Henry Dreyfoos, played by John Mahoney. Dreyfoos is only concerned with staying within the budget the hospital has been given and views the doctors' attempts to improve patient care as unnecessary expenditures.

The tension between the doctors and the administration comes to a head when a patient dies due to the hospital's lack of resources. The doctors refuse to accept responsibility for the death and instead blame the bureaucracy of the healthcare system. They stage a protest outside of the hospital and begin to speak out publicly about the conditions they have been dealing with.

The film is a thought-provoking look at the healthcare system in the United States and the struggles faced by those trying to provide care within it. The performances by Liotta, Sutherland, and Whitaker are excellent, and the film's gritty, realistic style makes it a must-watch for those interested in the realities of healthcare in America.

Article 99 is a 1992 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.