N.L. Premier Williams set to have heart surgery in U.S.

[Thiebear]

N.L. Premier Williams set to have heart surgery in U.S.

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2510700

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.

I understand the United States Healthcare is not the greatest in the world in every category, but we are the very darn good is quite a few.

Medicaid:

There are a number of Medicaid eligibility categories; within each category there are requirements other than income that must be met. These other requirements include, but are not limited to, age, pregnancy, disability, blindness, income and resources, and one's status as a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted immigrant.[11] Special rules exist for those living in a nursing home and disabled children living at home. A child may be covered under Medicaid if she or he is a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident. A child may be eligible for Medicaid regardless of the eligibility status of his or her parents or guardians. Thus, a child can be covered by Medicaid based on his or her individual status even if his or her parents are not eligible. Similarly, if a child lives with someone other than a parent, he or she may still be eligible based on his or her individual status.[12]

Chips covers the children up to 80k

Medicare covers the old 65+ with medicare part A, B, C and unfunded D(drugs).

We definitely need the vonage/magicjack of insurance that is allowed to participate in every state...

We could use some kind of (no pre-existing conditions) but people point out some good counterpoints. say something like won't cover (the pre-existing) but will cover everything esle.. I know that sucks, but incrementalism is how you get things done here.

I was against the mandatory, but arguments have been made that i can't ignore so i've come around on that one, i HAVE to spend 165month on cable/internet/hbo.. least i can do is pay minimum for health insurance.

IF i can't i should be eligible for medicare or pay the rediculously low 700$ a year fine. IF it was 10,000$ a year i'd be a bit more hesitant.

I'd rather look a France/Germany/Canada and pick the best from all and have open discussions on why Germany is better in diagnostic / cost. France has the private/public to just the right degrees, and Canada can somehow get Walmart like drug prices for everyone. But throw out some of the horrible wait times and scheduling 9months in advance.

I thought the article was funny because it has a hint of truth to it.

But it makes me think back to the wasted year that was healthcare red herring. 3000 pages of payoffs, shuffling, appeasing and fluff...

it would be nice if the new republicans that come in this year actually get a chance to/and not screw this opportunity up like they do the Ethics Committees.

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