In a move destined to become fodder for late night talk shows, not to mention both Houses of Congress, Newfoundland Canadian Premier Danny Williams will undergo heart surgery later this week in the United States, according to the Canadian News Network and the National Post newspaper there.
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 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 socialized health care system, a model for which the Obama Administration has been pushing for at the resistance of Congress and national polls indicating the majority of U.S. citizens do not support reforming the health care industry, nor further regulation of health insurance companies.
“It was never an option offered to him to have this procedure done in this province,” said 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.
“Canada: The Land of Health Care So Awesome That Its Politicians Undergo Surgery in the United States,” one American Pundit wrote sarcastically in reaction to the National Post story.
“Canada keeps its costs down, in part, by neglecting the expensive business of advanced specialty care knowing that the U.S. is next door to help,” wrote a commenter in a USpoliticsonline forum.
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 seal hunting.
