Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul is going to Canada for surgery

[left-of-center2012]

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, one of the fiercest political critics of socialized medicine, will travel to Canada later this month to get hernia surgery. He is scheduled to have the operation at the Shouldice Hernia Hospital in Thornhill, Ontario during the week of Jan. 21.

Paul often argues for private market solutions to American's health care woes.

In Canada, medical care is publicly funded and universally provided through the country's Provincial Ministry of Health.

Paul has called universal health care and nationalized options "slavery."

“With regard to the idea whether or not you have a right to health care ... It means you believe in slavery," Paul said in 2011. "You are going to enslave not only me but the janitor at my hospital, the person who cleans my office, the assistants, the nurses. … You are basically saying you believe in slavery.”

A spokesman for Paul did not return a request for comment.

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/14/rand-paul-neighbor-attack-senator-have-surgery-canada/2568200002/

[hlthe2b]

1. What a GD hypocrite. I hope his constituents skewer him.

[FakeNoose]

2. I guess he doesn't like the doctors in Kentucky

[The Truth Is Here]

6. And gee, at University of Kentucky

they have a hernia center!

https://ukhealthcare.uky.edu/services/hernia-program

[ck4829]

3. K&R

[The Truth Is Here]

4. CBP should be on alert.

Require a visa to visit Canada, and a special permit to use Canadian doctors at a fee of $5 billion.

Otherwise, his surgical procedure should be delayed indefinitely unless he uses U.S. doctors to hack that hernia of his.

[crazycatlady]

50. Are they even being paid now?

[The Truth Is Here]

51. Canadian Border Patrol

I would like to think so!

[dalton99a]

5. American doctors not good enough for you? Don't have health insurance?

Too bad his physician neighbor doesn't have an active license

Name: Rene A. Boucher D.O.
License: 02561
Status: Inactive Physician
Expiration: 2/28/2015 0:00:00
Practice County: None/Retired
Type of Practice: Retired
Year Licensed in KY: 9/17/1998 0:00:00
Medical School: Univ of Des Moines Osteopathic Med & Surgery, Des Moines
Year Graduated: 1984
Board Action: None

[Bengus81]

7. HYPOCRITE POS....there isn't a doctor in the US qualified to work on his nuts??

Strange,he's from the party that spews we have the GREATEST health care system in the WORLD and that those socialized health care Countries are third rate and he would have to wait YEARS to have the surgery.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

8. scumbag

[hack89]

9. Shouldice Hernia Hospital is one of the few private hospitals in Canada

They are world famous for their unique methods of treating Hernia's. He has to pay cash so I don't see the problem.

[Bengus81]

10. Pay cash?? LOL,bet he pays nothing........

Again,why not have the surgery done in the Country with the Greatest health care in the World??

[hack89]

11. Because for this particular surgery, they are the best in the world?

he is a Libertarian so I don't see any hypocrisy on his part.

[LanternWaste]

15. And again, no one is arguing 'problem' or 'hypocrisy.

Is it that it's just so gosh-darn convenient to argue against positions no one is actually taking? Or (of course, this is more likely) you're so gosh-darn insightful you know what people are arguing before they do...?


Yeah... that's the ticket.

[hack89]

17. So what exactly is the problem here?

why are you so bothered by his actions?

[LanternWaste]

20. What leads you to believe I'm bothered?

I'm merely bemused you're arguing against positions no one is taking.

(I'd can understand why you need to pretend it's a bother... better narrative as such)

[hack89]

22. Ok.

you are just picking a fight. Got it.

[FSogol]

31. Calling him a hypocrite is redundant since all libertarians are hypocrites.

[hack89]

43. Hypocrisy is an universal human trait, unfortunately. nt

[Yavin4]

12. "unique methods of treating Hernia's"?!?! How can that be????

Doesn't Canada have a completely ineffective healthcare system? Don't Canadians come here for their surgery?

[hack89]

14. They aren't government owned or operated.

I don't know how they compare to non-private hospitals in Canada but a little research makes it clear they are world leaders in field of hernia surgery.

[lamsmy]

49. You're kidding right?

Canada has a top-rated healthcare system with outstanding surgical units. Yes, there can be delays for non-emergency procedures. This is largely due to not enough high tech diagnostic machines (MRIs, eg). And yes, the waits can be annoying.

But Canada, like Australia and other nations with very good healthcare systems, invest more heavily in preventive primary care - that is an army of family doctors and registered nurses who screen patients frequently. This means most major diseases are caught early and more easily treated.

As a result , vaccination rates are among the highest in the world and maternal and infant mortality rates are much better than in the US (which is approaching 3rd world conditions in this regard.) Survival rates for cancer, cystic fibrosis, and many other diseases are better north of the border. (Ten years longer life spans for those with CF!!!)

And yes, you can choose and change your doctor whenever you like. Canadians never see a bill for their medical care and this lack of bureaucratic paperwork further reduces costs. The average Canadian pays about 85 CDN a month. Dental care, eye care, and prescription drugs can also be added at low cost to your coverage.

So occasionally Canadians who don't want to wait for elective or non emergency surgery head to the US (or Asia) for treatment. But not one Canadian, not one, would ever exchange their healthcare system for exorbitant mess found in the US.

[Yavin4]

52. Yes. I was kidding. n/t

[LanternWaste]

13. No one is arguing it's a problem.

Merely pointing out the irony that Paul is heading into a nation whose collective medical system is a consistent target of his ire.

"I don't see the problem..." That's a beauty. No ,really... it almost (almost) sounds sincere.

[hack89]

16. He advocates private solutions to healthcare.

He is going to a hospital that is privately owned and not part of the the government owned healthcare system.

[LanternWaste]

18. Who is arguing otherwise?

Irony. Dictionary.com is helpful if you're so inclined.

[hack89]

19. So what exactly is the problem here?

I am not good at speaking code.

[LanternWaste]

21. Not a problem. It's irony. You're the only one mentioning 'problems...'

Goodness. You certainly see problems and anger and all sorts of stuff no one else sees. How prescient.

[hack89]

25. I do have certain talents, I must say.

It wasn't hard to predict that you would jump into this thread for example.

[joshcryer]

63. Technically he argues private health care is harmed by universal / regulations.

And he's going to a place with universal and going to, apparently, a private establishment that is decidedly not harmed by co-existing with universal / regulations.

[hack89]

66. He is also going to a place that offers procedures that are not common in the US

and might be better suited to his medical condition. He is a doctor after all. And it is his money.

[joshcryer]

68. I know, but, single payer and private health care...

[retread]

64. The non-mesh surgery is not available at UK?? I did watch the videos and they claim

non-invasive methods and leading edge advances in hernia surgery.

https://ukhealthcare.uky.edu/services/hernia-program

[hack89]

65. Beats me.

why go to the UK when Canada is closer?

[peggysue2]

23. Why would he go to Canada?

I've had hernia surgery. This is not an unusual or new surgical procedure. Painful, yes. Radical, no.

I don't get it. Unless it's something else and he's not telling. But even so, he and his Republican cohorts blather incessantly about the superiority of the US health system.

Maybe, the Canadian surgeons are extracting his hypocrisy stones.

[hack89]

26. Maybe he is a picky consumer.

if you can go to the best hernia hospital in the world for unique and cutting edge treatments then why not?

[peggysue2]

33. Because we're not talking heart surgery

It's a hernia. In 1900 the surgery was new and radically innovative.

Today? Not so much. And I speak from personal experience. I had a femoral hernia, had it surgically repaired 6 years ago without any issues. Other than surprise. I thought hernias were a guy thing. I was wrong.

As I said upthread: unless Paul is not telling the truth, this whole thing sounds squirrely.

[hack89]

41. Have you taken the time to google the hospital?

he is a doctor. I think he knows what he is doing.

[dameatball]

56. As much as I dislike the guy, your position on this seems valid.

[still_one]

29. He is going there because he doesn't want to have mesh used, which is the type of hernia repair

used mostly in the U.S. Shoudice does non-mesh repair.

As for the costs, he has to pay for it out of his own pocket unless his insurance covers it.

[peggysue2]

37. Ahhh . . .

That at least is a reason. Yes, the mesh is used for most hernia repairs and has been recorded as having post-surgical problems in other applications. Vaginal and bladder-related surgeries, for instance.

Wonder what Rand Paul's stand is on medical devices and the need for regulation. I'm going to guess: we have the freedom to go to Canada.

[still_one]

42. Without getting involved in the pros or cons, you last point is significant. He has the means or

money to go where ever he wants.

A lot of Americans don't have that luxury

[peggysue2]

47. This!

A lot of Americans don't have that luxury


Exactly right, Still_one.

[marybourg]

54. Americans used to go to Canada BECAUSE

of their pioneering mesh surgery, which U.S. physicians didn't adopt for a decade or more.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

24. Is Canada open to taking a bribe to keep him there?

[still_one]

27. If he is going to Shouldice, either his insurance is covering it, or he is paying it out of his own

pocket.

"US and International Patients
All patients who have submitted their medical questionnaire for assessment and have been qualified for surgery will receive a letter outlining our estimated fees specific to their stated surgical procedure and related hospital stay. Patients with private insurance coverage may be eligible for reimbursement on submission of paperwork provided to you. We do not bill insurance companies on your behalf, however, Shouldice Hospital has no-cost consultants trained to help you with your claim (as foreign insurance coverage is complicated we encourage all patients to pre-approve their coverage prior to admission).

All charges are payable on admission by credit card, bank draft or cash.
"

He is not covered by the Canadian system

[LeftInTX]

62. I read that because it's a settlement he's required to pay out of pocket

I'm not too sure about this. You would think "personal injury" would allow health insurance.

I know when my hubby was injured after a car wreck, he was caught in limbo. Health insurance wouldn't cover it and liability insurance wasn't covering it either. (I think if he was hospitalized liability would kick in) Hubby didn't want to get a lawyer and paid out of pocket.

I remember after I was injured in a car wreck, I ended paying out of pocket for my physical therapy. I then got a settlement.

Both accidents, not our fault.

[shanny]

28. OMG

but our system is the best in the world! people come from all over for it! And Canada's is a sub-standard soshulist/slavery abomination!

I don't care about the nuance in this case. Rs are past masters of fake narratives and sometimes we should return the favor--especially when they make it easy.

[still_one]

32. He is going their because he is concerned about having mesh repair hernia surgery, and there are not

many place in the U.S. that will not do non-mesh repair surgery, because they believe the reoccurrence rate is too high

He isn't a Canadian citizen, so he has to pay for it out of his own pocket, unless his insurance covers it

[shanny]

34. yep, I get that...but as I said, I don't care about nuance.

at this time I'm all about what goes around coming around.

[still_one]

40. absolutely. He also has the money or means to have the choice where to go, which a lot of people

don't

[shanny]

45. amen

[KCDebbie]

30. Is he going to finally have that furry animal removed

From his head?

[dalton99a]

38. It's the imperial look

[KCDebbie]

60. Ha!

[CozyMystery]

35. He isn't going to pay for it.

"Paul is suing for $4,000 in medical costs related to the attack but said the final amount "will continue to be updated through trial and will certainly include the hernia surgery that is currently scheduled to take place in Ontario, Canada."

He's suing the guy who attacked him.

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/14/rand-paul-neighbor-attack-senator-have-surgery-canada/2568200002/

[underpants]

36. But some Democrats went to Puerto Rico!!!

PUERTO RICO!!!’

[mountain grammy]

39. Any chance he could die? That'd be some justice

For this miserable jerk.

[still_one]

46. low probabity. However, there is a probability that he could suffer from chonic pain after that

surgery

[mountain grammy]

67. That'd be ok too.

[still_one]

70. not nice, but I sure can understand the sentiment, between him and his racist father

[Raster]

44. It gets easier and easier to see how Paul* could get his ass kicked over shrubbery.

[IllinoisBirdWatcher]

48. Well, Rand, we know "you believe in slavery." Thanks for proving it. eom

[klook]

53. "Senator Paul, why do you hate America?"

Oh, wait, he’s not a Democrat, so nevermind.

[geardaddy]

55. Fuck him and his weak peritoneum.

[mcp37]

57. In Network.............

In Network (the thing I hear forever.............)

[Blue_Tires]

58. It should be a foregone conclusion to everyone by now that

Rand's "Wild Bill Libertarian Loose Cannon Renegade Act" has never been anything other than just that -- An act.

God... And five years ago half of DU was *SO* in love with this fraud

[IronLionZion]

59. His constituents should demand to know why Kentucky hospitals aren't good enough for him

and why he doesn't help people in his state have access to whatever healthcare he's getting

[Vinca]

61. You mean Canada has real doctors? And hospitals, too?

To hear him talk about it before you'd think people were dying in the streets for lack of medical care.

[Cha]

69. Why is he going to Canada? Doesn't

the US have competent doctors?

Is Canada's hospitals for Canadians who help fund their health care?

This forever Blows his hate speech against Universal health care.

[Doremus]

71. What about the death panels? nt