Crazy Canadian MP

[ivan]

"This was my heart, my choice and my health," Williams said late Monday from his condominium in Sarasota, Fla.

 

"I did not sign away my right to get the best possible health care for myself when I entered politics."

 

But Canada's health care is so much better than ours! WTF?!?!?!

Americans would never leave the states for medical care.

or to get meds

[G-spotter]

CBC sez:

 

Canadian cardiac surgeons say there was no need for the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador to cross the border for world-class health care.

 

The treatment Danny Williams received in the United States is available in at least four Canadian centres including hospitals in Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto, doctors told CBC News.

 

Williams has made no apologies for following what he said was doctors' orders in flying to Miami to have "minimally invasive" surgery earlier this month to repair a leaky heart valve.

 

However, Montreal cardiac surgeon Dr. Hugues Jeanmart finds that medical advice puzzling.

 

"I was very surprised, especially for the reason he [Williams] advanced, saying that we didn't have this kind of expertise in Canada, which I completely disagree with," he said.

 

Jeanmart repairs heart valves using the latest in robotic technology. Instead of open-heart surgery, the operation is performed through an incision under the arm, so there is no large chest scar and there are other benefits as well, Jeanmart said.

 

"There's less pain, less bleeding, less chance of infection and the main point is faster recovery after these kinds of surgery."

 

There are also risks, such as stroke, so some cardiac specialists are reluctant to recommend the procedure. But the procedure is still available.

 

There is a waitlist in Montreal of up to three months, but urgent cases can get the surgery right away, Jeanmart said.

 

Dr. Alan Menkis, a Winnipeg cardiac surgeon, was a pioneer in using the technology.

 

Canada can be slow to adopt technology that is expensive when cheaper options are just as effective, Menkis said.

 

"If you look at the number one centres all over the world, not every single centre in every country does these sorts of procedures. So I would think that the distribution across Canada is not bad. We could do more of that I think."

 

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/02/23/williams-surgery023.html?ref=rss#ixzz0gQ39lN5T

[murraysovereign]

CBC sez:

 

Canadian cardiac surgeons say there was no need for the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador to cross the border for world-class health care.

 

The treatment Danny Williams received in the United States is available in at least four Canadian centres including hospitals in Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto, doctors told CBC News.

 

Williams has made no apologies for following what he said was doctors' orders in flying to Miami...

 

Well, sure, but what they don't tell you is that none of those hospitals in Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa or Toronto perform the procedure in Florida. It's February, for crissakes. Who wants to go to Montreal or Ottawa in bloody February?

[prole]

"Give us your broke-ass Seniors, senor..."

[KaskadskyjKozak]

Well, sure, but what they don't tell you is that none of those hospitals in Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa or Toronto perform the procedure in Florida. It's February, for crissakes. Who wants to go to Montreal or Ottawa in bloody February?

 

There's no need to question why someone would jump at the opportunity to leave Canada.

 

 

[JayB]

CBC sez:

 

Canadian cardiac surgeons say there was no need for the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador to cross the border for world-class health care.

 

The treatment Danny Williams received in the United States is available in at least four Canadian centres including hospitals in Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto, doctors told CBC News.

 

Williams has made no apologies for following what he said was doctors' orders in flying to Miami...

 

Well, sure, but what they don't tell you is that none of those hospitals in Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa or Toronto perform the procedure in Florida. It's February, for crissakes. Who wants to go to Montreal or Ottawa in bloody February?

 

The only thing that confuses me about this scenario is that this guy is presumably as well positioned as anyone to asses the treatment options available to him in Canada, and better positioned than anyone to understand the extent to which he'll be exposing himself to charges of hypocrisy if news of his surgery goes public - so why on earth does he take the flight to Florida instead of getting treated with the exact same procedure just as promptly in Canada?

 

 

[KaskadskyjKozak]

CBC sez:

 

Canadian cardiac surgeons say there was no need for the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador to cross the border for world-class health care.

 

The treatment Danny Williams received in the United States is available in at least four Canadian centres including hospitals in Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto, doctors told CBC News.

 

Williams has made no apologies for following what he said was doctors' orders in flying to Miami...

 

Well, sure, but what they don't tell you is that none of those hospitals in Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa or Toronto perform the procedure in Florida. It's February, for crissakes. Who wants to go to Montreal or Ottawa in bloody February?

 

The only thing that confuses me about this scenario is that this guy is presumably as well positioned as anyone to asses the treatment options available to him in Canada, and better positioned than anyone to understand the extent to which he'll be exposing himself to charges of hypocrisy if news of his surgery goes public - so why on earth does he take the flight to Florida instead of getting treated with the exact same procedure just as promptly in Canada?

 

 

Because treatment in Canada sucks

[Hugh Conway]

The only thing that confuses me about this scenario is that this guy is presumably as well positioned as anyone to asses the treatment options available to him in Canada, and better positioned than anyone to understand the extent to which he'll be exposing himself to charges of hypocrisy if news of his surgery goes public - so why on earth does he take the flight to Florida instead of getting treated with the exact same procedure just as promptly in Canada?

 

You still can't figure out people aren't rational actors?

[prole]

Because treatment in Canada sucks

 

We have the best treatments money can afford.

[Fairweather]

No, we have the best treatment for the broadest spectrum of recipients available. That it may not be completely equitable is an aside. It's as close as we're gonna get. If the Democrats try to press reconciliation on a new bill, I predict bloodshed.

[prole]

If the Democrats try to press reconciliation on a new bill, I predict bloodshed.

 

WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO DO, WE'RE ALL BEHIND YOU 100%!!!

 

Edited February 24, 2010 by prole

[prole]

No, we have the best treatment for the broadest spectrum of recipients available. That it may not be completely equitable is an aside.

 

Huh? Wait sorry, I didn't get the decoder rings the Insurance and Pharma reps were passing out at the Tea Party. Why is our health care system so fucked up, again?

[j_b]

No, we have the best treatment for the broadest spectrum of recipients available. That it may not be completely equitable is an aside. It's as close as we're gonna get. If the Democrats try to press reconciliation on a new bill, I predict bloodshed.

 

45,000 death a year for lack of access to healthcare and 40+ millions without insurance is as close as you want it to get? and you issue ominous statements/veiled threats if Democrats pursue the politics they were elected for? What a sick puppy you are. I'll tell you what Adolf, why don't you bring it on and we'll be glad to see your ass in jail to receive the attention it needs.

[ivan]

No, we have the best treatment for the broadest spectrum of recipients available. That it may not be completely equitable is an aside. It's as close as we're gonna get. If the Democrats try to press reconciliation on a new bill, I predict bloodshed.

ok, monsieur robespierre!

[prole]

I predict a Mariners pennant in 2010.

[G-spotter]

I predict hockey gold for Canada. First step is 1972'ing the Russkies tonight.

[G-spotter]

so why on earth does he take the flight to Florida instead of getting treated with the exact same procedure just as promptly in Canada?

 

 

Presumably he wanted to bang his mistress and surgery was a convenient excuse.

[Mal_Con]

Maybe he wanted to walk the Appalachian Trail.

[murraysovereign]

I predict hockey gold for Canada. First step is 1972'ing the Russkies tonight.

 

I remember '72. That was waayy too close. I'd rather tonight's game not come down to scrambling after rebounds in the dying minutes of the 3rd period.

[murraysovereign]

Because treatment in Canada sucks

 

unless you base your conclusions on things like evidence, actual data, stuff like that. But then all your favourite FOX opinion-makers would be out of work, wouldn't they?

[jon]

I love how even Canadians hate Fox "News" ROFL!

[G-spotter]

I hate the Torygraph in the UK too.

[G-spotter]

Maybe disrespect would be a better word than hate though.

[KaskadskyjKozak]

Because treatment in Canada sucks

 

unless you base your conclusions on things like evidence,...

 

You mean like your rich fleeing to the US for treatment? Including politicians (see top of thread).

 

Apparently Canadians have no clue what "evidence" is.

 

[olyclimber]

so your idea of good coverage for all is rich people having preferential and expedited treatment? because that is why rich Canadians come down here. its about buying better treatment.

 

there are superior things about the American medical system, especially if you can afford it. it is perhaps the best treatment you can buy, no doubt. but making it available for everyone is the challenge.