Danny Williams heading to U.S. for procedure on advice of his doctors

[Peikko 1,575]

Proof is in the pudding........imagine that.

The proof of what?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Certain operations aren't available under nationalised healthcare.

Of course they aren't available here either unless you can afford to pay for them (and that goes for the health tourists as well).

[My Name Is Nobody 3]

The proof of what?

That the leftards were blowing smoke up our arses

[Peikko 1,575]

That the leftards were blowing smoke up our arses

That post is proof that you have posted nothing worth reading so far in this thread.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Yeah... because without health insurance everyone can afford major heart surgery.

I don't know about blowing smoke up asses, but clearly a few people here know very well how to suck their own dicks.

[My Name Is Nobody 3]

What it says is scocialized healthcare sucks.................No other reason for the dude to come to the US for treatment. Should have turned his #### back at the border. And if his political views are on record it will show he supported the type of healthcare he was fleeing from....hypocrit!!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I can't see how one could draw any conclusions based on the information provided, except perhaps the more you have in your wallet the more choices you have available to you.

I am still curious why his doctors recommended he come here.

[trailmix 77]

I am still curious why his doctors recommended he come here.

We are all curious about that because they don't say and as mentioned in the article all but one very very specialized procedure is not available (not 'not covered' - just not available).

How this story in anyway can be twisted to imply that Canada's health care system is trash - well I just don't see it.

In fact, i'm kind of tired of hearing everyones views on something they know so little about, how many people who comment on Canada's health care system actually understand it? Many do not understand how it works, why it works, why most of us like it and that all Canadians are aware (well the majority) that WE do pay out of our pockets for it through taxation.

[lostinblue 1,989]

I am still curious why his doctors recommended he come here.

Perhaps the waiting list is too long. One wonders why he did not go to England. A longer waiting list?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

We are all curious about that because they don't say and as mentioned in the article all but one very very specialized procedure is not available (not 'not covered' - just not available).

How this story in anyway can be twisted to imply that Canada's health care system is trash - well I just don't see it.

In fact, i'm kind of tired of hearing everyones views on something they know so little about, how many people who comment on Canada's health care system actually understand it? Many do not understand how it works, why it works, why most of us like it and that all Canadians are aware (well the majority) that WE do pay out of our pockets for it through taxation.

Indeed. To suggest that this one article is proof that Canada's health system is #######, is disingenuous at best, colossal stupidity at worst.

Yes, the US does lead the field in pioneering advances in medicine, but those advances (especially the experimental ones) are all but useless if people don't have access to them.

Makes you wonder if a middle income American with insurance would this be able to get the same level of care as this politician.

I kinda doubt it. Not that this will give pause to the morons and their one line mantras that socialized healthcare is ######. They don't know what they're talking about and don't care to learn either.

[Peikko 1,575]

I am still curious why his doctors recommended he come here.

It could be for a number of reasons. It could be that this is a procedure that an American Dr specialises in. There are specialists that specialise in procedures because they are not performed often enough in a small population to acquire the necessary skills that a large population sample would allow for.

[CDAgirlMI 51]

What it says is scocialized healthcare sucks.................No other reason for the dude to come to the US for treatment. Should have turned his #### back at the border. And if his political views are on record it will show he supported the type of healthcare he was fleeing from....hypocrit!!

Careful. The U.S. has a socialist president. Health care as you know it may change one day.

Just because he's coming to the U.S for a surgery doesn't mean he doesn't support the Canadian system. Maybe he found a doctor/facility in the States that is impeccable.

I know someone who came to the U.S for cancer treatment.

I'll be the first to say the U.S. is superbly technologically advanced when it comes to medicine. Does that mean its a better "system"?

[Dan J 277]

Careful. The U.S. has a socialist president. Health care as you know it may change one day.

Just because he's coming to the U.S for a surgery doesn't mean he doesn't support the Canadian system. Maybe he found a doctor/facility in the States that is impeccable.

I know someone who came to the U.S for cancer treatment.

I'll be the first to say the U.S. is superbly technologically advanced when it comes to medicine. Does that mean its a better "system"?

Japan has the best access to medical technology.

But technology doesn't always mean better results. Over usage of antibiotics has resulted in MRSA. Doctors use advanced techniques, or technologies, not because it will produce the better outcome for the patient, but because they can charge more for it.

[GabiandVi 34]

Certain operations aren't available under nationalised healthcare.

Of course they aren't available here either unless you can afford to pay for them (and that goes for the health tourists as well).

Not exactly accurate. You might have meant to say unless you have insurance that covers them, or unless you are on a government medical program that covers them. Or you might have meant certain elective procedures. This does not sound like an elective procedure. In most cases, if the procedure is considered essential and not experimental, or in some cases to address a pre-existing condition on a client who has not had portable coverage in the preceeding year, insurance will cover it.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

OH BIG SURPRISE!!!!

Half the cars in medical facilities here in Vermont are from Quebec...no kidding. At least half! I had an appointment today at my doctor in Burlington and had to go down to the thrid level of the underground garage to find a parking place and walk past an entire row of Quebec license plates, greet other people with a cheerful "Bon Matin, Madame!" and have an easier time speaking French than English at medical facilities. Why should the Newfee Premier be different? Anyone that CAN escapes to the USA for health treatment. Heck, it is a major part of our economy here and the only reason we have such GREAT healthcare facilities in this area with such a tiny population is that we have Montreal just a few miles away with a populatiojn 4 times our entire state and 40 times our biggest city. If it weren't for the failings of the Canadian health system creating a market for so much health care faciliteis on this side of the border, I would probably have to drive to Massachussets for a hospital!

VIVE Les Quebecois!!!!!!!!

Incidently as Vermont residents we can get FREE healthcare at the entire Fletcher Allen Medical network all throughout the state. This is also available for residents of border counties of New York. It is a great system and available free to all our residents. Vermont also has VHAP, to provide medical insurance for ALL Vermonters that need it or do not get it at work. The government does NOT run our healthcare, they provide a default insurance plan, however for treatment here at home...we don't need it.