Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Danny Williams: '... this is my heart, it's my health and it's my choice.'

Danny ("Big Mouth") Williams makes a good point - I especially like the "it's my choice" part. But his point runs counter to what he preaches for the rest of us.

It would be great if we all had Williams' "choice" in these matters. The problem is that Williams and his political ilk go out of their way to promote a government monopoly on healthcare for the rest of us - that is, they promote universal lack of choice.

As for Williams' specific medical problem (a leaky mitral valve) he says that in Canada he "wasn't offered" the treatment he received in Florida. That sounds a little weasely. Did he ask for it? If so, what was the answer? It's likely done in Canada but for whatever reasons it wasn't as good a choice as going south where, thanks to the American system, it's readily available.

Update (Feb 24): National Post editorial today:

My heart, my health, my choice. With those six words, Danny Williams neatly summed up the case for private health care. No matter how much the Newfoundland and Labrador Premier goes on to defend Canada's state health care monopoly, the damage has been done to the case for a single-payer system. He has exposed it for what is: a charade with often tragic consequences ...

... Together with North Korea [and Cuba?], Canada is the lone holdout that denies its people choice over one of the most important aspects of their lives: their personal health and well-being.

... Mr. Williams was perfectly within his rights to opt for his superior surgery. But all Canadians should enjoy this choice -- and they shouldn't have to show their passport to get it.

4 comments:

KURSK said...

Leaking heart valves are fixed hundreds of times a week in Canada.By Canadian doctors.Some who helped pioneer better surgical processes in order to decrease healing time.

Choice for all or choice for none..your call Danny..

JR said...

Just so, kursk. And I have personal experience with mitral valve problems - my own very leaky one was replaced ten years ago.

I suspect the choice Williams had was to get in the Canadian queue with ordinary Canucks or get the repairs done toute de suite in the USA.

Anonymous said...

Uh?? Williams has in past front line and centre pushed socialized healthcare in Canada? When? (real conservative)

JR said...

Don't be obtuse, real. In recent interviews Williams has had nothing but praise for the Canadian system of government healthcare monopoly. His own government spends a third of its entire budget on healthcare. His PC party's platform on healthcare yaks about little other than government programs.