http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2510700
N.L. Premier Williams set to have heart surgery in U.S. *Kenyon Wallace, National Post * http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.nationalpost.com/williams_cns.jpg Keith Gosse ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams will undergo heart surgery later this week in the United States. Deputy premier Kathy Dunderdale confirmed the treatment at a news conference Tuesday, but would not reveal the location of the operation or how it would be paid for. "He has gone to a renowned expert in the procedure that he needs to have done," said Ms. Dunderdale, who will become acting premier while Mr. Williams is away for three to 12 weeks. "In consultation with his own doctors, he's decided to go that route." Mr. Williams' decision to leave Canada for the surgery has raised eyebrows over his apparent shunning of Canada's health-care system. "It was never an option offered to him to have this procedure done in this province," said Ms. Dunderdale, refusing to answer whether the procedure could be done elsewhere in Canada. Mr. Williams, 59, has said nothing of his health in the media. "The premier has made a commitment that once he's through this procedure and he's well enough, he's going to talk about the whole process and share as much detail with you as he's comfortable to do at that time," she said. Ms. Dunderdale wouldn't say where in the U.S. Mr. Williams is seeking treatment. A popular Progressive Conservative premier, Mr. Williams has also seen his share of controversy. During the 2008 federal election, Mr. Williams vehemently opposed the Conservative government, launching his "Anything But Conservative" -- which has been credited with keeping the Tories from winning any seats in the province. He's also drawn criticism for his support of the seal hunt. ****** First, the National Post is a fairly good source, as far as I can tell, for Canadian news. Now, three things come to the fore immediately. - One, he is from Newfoundland/Labrador. The article makes clear that the procedure he needed was not available in his province. This is NOT the fault of the Canadian health care system any more than lack of a NICU at a hospital in rural Arkansas is the fault of the entire American health care system. Just as in the U.S., there are differences between provinces just as there are differences between the states. Newfoundland is poor, cash-poor especially. The province has abundant NATURAL resources but limited economic resources. So, Premier Williams is going where he can get the procedure he needs. In this same vein, as the story mentioned, there is nothing stated that he could not have gotten the procedure elsewhere in Canada....say in Ontario, Quebec or Manitoba. Its entirely possible he could not travel the distance necessary to Montreal or Ottawa...Boston is closer to N.L. than Montreal I think. - Two, his doctors concurred with his decision. In the recent health care debate, what was one massive sticking point for people? Ability to choose and/or retain your own doctors. Why is it any of our business what he and his doctors decided was best? - Three, I seem to remember Twirly mentioning something here once about traveling to Montreal for procedures? Is that not equally important to this discussion? I call it "go to where the specialists are" and its what we would all do. For me, the bottom line is what I have maintained for years: Our health care system is in need of repair. Its broken in measurable areas. We are enslaved to third party payers and to the contracts that providers sign with those companies. Is single-payer in our future? No. However, if we continue to allow Anthem, Cigna, Humana, Coventry and the rest to dictate the very terms of our health care, we WILL cede the argument to those who want a British-style medical system. 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