The Last Exile

Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams comes clean on his healthcare. Toronto Sun.

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams had his mitral valve repaired in Florida – a procedure he says was not offered in Canada.
However, Dr. Asim Cheema, a cardiologist at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, told QMI Agency that mitral valve repair is routinely performed in Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto.Williams told NTV that his doctor recommended he have it done at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami, Fla., where the procedure is minimally invasive. The ailing premier talked about his medical ordeal for the first time Monday in an interview with NTV, a private TV station in St. John’s, N.L.

(…)”I just said, ‘Look, our communications plan here is going to be quite simple: This is my heart, it’s my health and it’s my choice’,” Williams told NTV.
Williams said his doctors in St. John’s diagnosed him with mitral valve regurgitation about a year ago. His cardiologist told him his condition was moderate and he might eventually have to get the valve repaired or replaced. Just before Christmas, doctors told him his condition had become severe. “The mitral valve is a special surgery,” Williams said. “It’s not a typical open heart surgery where your arteries are replaced … so, they recommended that I look at going outside the province.”

The premiere’s office confirmed that his procedure is, in fact, available in Canada, but could not confirm why Williams’ chose instead to go to Florida.

But to get the money quote we have to go to the Toronto Star:

The premier also said he paid for the treatment, but added he would seek any refunds he would be eligible for in Canada.

And this is why I shall forever call him Danny Millions.