Why is it that people who believe that government should be shrunk until it can be drowned in a bathtub have a quick change of heart when their houses catch fire? Rand Paul (L-KY) is a libertarian who votes alongside the Republicans. He formed the Tea Party caucus with like-minded senators, and he is a good buddy of Donald Trump. Get this though, the ophthalmologist turned politician made a move that could not have been more hypocritical.
Paul has been rabid about socialized medicine. He has wanted to go back the old days of private market insurance and no coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. He has also sought to get rid of the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare/ACA). In fact, he has called universal health care “slavery.”
Imagine our surprise when the senator trotted off to Canada for surgery. Canada offers health care for everyone at the same cost and same level of care.
Spokesperson for Paul, Kelsey Cooper, said in an email that he had gone to a privately-owned hospital where people worldwide come, according to The Courier-Journal:
‘This is more fake news on a story that has been terribly reported from day one — this is a private, world renowned hospital separate from any system and people come from around the world to pay cash for their services.’
Wealthy people like the Republicans can afford to pay for their health care and do not relate to average people.
Apparently, when Paul was mowing his lawn in 2017 his neighbor attacked him. Rene Roucher left Paul with a bruised lung, and six broken ribs. It appears that the Canadian surgery is related to this crash.
According to the lawsuit Paul filed against Roucher, the senator will have the outpatient surgery at the private hospital, Shouldice Hernia Hospital in late January. The lawsuit indicated that the operation will cost between $5,000 and $8,000.
The Canadian hospital advertises itself as “the global leader in non-mesh hernia repair.” Mesh replacements have had their issues. Shouldice accepts “cash, check, or credit cards” payments. Paul will have to pay, because he is not Canadian.
It is ironic that the Libertarian senator chose to go outside of the U.S. medical system for his surgery. Paul said in 2011:
‘With regard to the idea whether or not you have a right to health care … It means you believe in slavery. 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.’
Canada’s health care system is publicly funded. The country’s Provincial Ministry of Health provides the service to everyone.
Paul’s neighbor attacked him over a lawn maintenance dispute in their gated community. When, Boucher notice the senator piling brush near his property line, he “had enough.” The neighbor ran downhill toward the senator and tackled him. Paul was wearing headphones and did not notice Boucher until the last moment.
According to a medical expert, Paul sustained chest trauma comparable to a 25-mile-per-hour car crash. Naturally, Paul sued the neighbor for medical costs related to the attack, $4,000. However, that 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.;
A jury trial is scheduled for Jan. 28.
Featured image is a screenshot via YouTube.
