September 19, 2007 3:38PM 

# Canadian MP “Thinks Very Highly” of Medicare, Goes to U.S. for Surgery 

By [Michael F. Cannon](https://www.cato.org/people/michael-f-cannon) 

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According to [CTV​.ca](http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070914/belinda_Stronach_070914/20070914):

> Liberal MP Belinda Stronach, who is battling breast cancer, travelled to California last June for an operation that was recommended as part of her treatment, says a report.
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> Stronach’s spokesman, Greg MacEachern, told the *Toronto Star* that the MP for Newmarket-Aurora had a “later-stage” operation in the U.S. after a Toronto doctor referred her.
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> “Belinda had one of her later-stage operations in California, after referral from her personal physicians in Toronto. Prior to this, Belinda had surgery and treatment in Toronto, and continues to receive follow-up treatment there,” said MacEachern.
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> He said speed was not the reason why she went to California.
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> Instead, MacEachern said the decision was made because the U.S. hospital was the best place to have it done due to the type of surgery required…
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> Stronach, who announced last April she would be leaving politics before the next election, paid for the surgery in the U.S., reports the *Star*…
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> While it is rare for MPs to seek treatment outside Canada, MacEachern said Stronach was not lacking confidence in the system.
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> “In fact, Belinda thinks very highly of the Canadian health-care system, and uses it when needed for herself and her children, as do all Canadians…” MacEachern told the *Star*.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of [Canada’s Medicare system](https://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=6378).

Best of luck to Ms. Stronach and her family.

H.T. [David Hyman](https://www.cato.org/people/hyman.html).

##### Related Tags 

[General](https://www.cato.org/general), [Health Care](https://www.cato.org/health-care) 

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