Canadian Premier Flys to U.S. for Heart Surgery
Posted by admin in Other Countries, US Healthcare System
From the Globle and Mail
The heart and soul of Newfoundland politics is in for repair – and it’s not in his home province or even in Canada, for that matter.
Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams is scheduled for heart surgery in the United States, a move that throws into question his province’s and his nation’s health-care system.
A source confirmed to The Globe and Mail late yesterday that Mr. Williams has left St. John’s for an undisclosed destination in the U.S. to have heart surgery later in the week.
The 59-year-old Conservative left yesterday morning, spokesperson Elizabeth Matthews said, without disclosing his location. While some of his critics were tight-lipped last night, the online public questioned his exodus – why the care he needed was not available in Canada, or whether he preferred treatment in the U.S.
His departure for a U.S. hospital is being met with both sympathy and anger as few details have emerged.
The severity of Mr. Williams’ condition is not publicly known, however he was reportedly not overly concerned about his health, as he told close friends his greatest regret was the possibility of missing his Tuesday night hockey outings.
The remaining details are expected to be revealed at a news conference today by Deputy Premier Kathy Dunderdale.
At risk is the already tarnished image of the province’s health-care system, which has suffered in recent years.
In October 2008, Mr. Williams apologized for a string of breast cancer test mix-ups. And though he demoted health minister Ross Wiseman last July, he also defended his record, saying there was no other member of his government he’d have rather had lead the portfolio at the time.
The current Minister of Health and Community Services, Jerome Kennedy, declined an interview request last night.
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Massachusetts voters were able to change the course of health reform, and why wouldn’t they? They already all had health insurance and access to health care. Very selfish Beantown.
[...] And lets not forget this! I mean Canada’s Health Care is so good!! [...]