Posted on 03/08/2010 9:42:11 AM PST by Sub-Driver
Edited on 03/08/2010 1:01:32 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
Original title: Palin: I snuck across Canadanian border for healthcare By Eric Zimmermann - 03/08/10 11:33 AM ET
Sarah Palin's family used to "hustle" across the Canadian border to get healthcare, the former Alaska Governor said this weekend.
In a speech in Calgary, Palin called it "ironic" that while growing up in a small Alaskan town near the Canadian border, her family used to sneak across to take advantage of the Canadian healthcare system.
"We used to hustle over the border for health care we received in Canada," she said, according to Medicine Hat News (via Dave Weigel.) "And I think now, isn't that ironic."
It's ironic, of course, because Palin and other Republicans have argued that Democratic healthcare reform will put the U.S. on the path towards Canada's "socialized" healthcare system.
Count on it.
FACTS? What are your facts? What do you know about health care availability in the area of Skagway in the early 1960’s???
You question other people’s comments with absolutely no facts on your side. You are a consummate hypocrite.
When I searched for more info, article after article popped up. :-(
The woman can’t say anything without her words being twisted. (And I say that as someone who isn’t a big fan.)
Yeah, this kinda strikes me as a non story just sexed up to reflect badly on Palin.
I’ve read most of the hysterical comments here. I think it’s stupid.
She said they “hustled” to Canada. That doesn’t mean “sneak”. It doesn’t suggest they were doing something illegal.
It was when she was a child, before Canadian public health care. There’s no indication the family didn’t pay for the care they received.
Two main complaints here do great disservice to Palin — that she was stupid for saying it, or the correlary that she must NOT have said it, since “it would be stupid” to say it.
This reminds me of the excuses for Palin supporting McCain, all aimed at suggesting Palin is lying about liking McCain, or is too stupid to know how bad it is for her to support McCain.
Palin says things that make sense, even though it sometimes pains those who have some fantasy view of her. She’s a politician, she’s a human being, she has her own opinions and beliefs. She won’t be what you want her to be, nobody is.
This is a non-story, but will probably become a bigger story because of the idiocy of her supporters.
The exact quote appears here. Doesn’t say whether or not they paid for the health care in Canada:
There seem to be several sources that she did make such a statement.
Wasn’t her son, it was her brother. You aren’t getting the full story. No one is shielding her from anything. Others ARE trying to make hay out of horseshit though...
And for Lasik, the procedure is cheaper in Canada, partly because they don’t have crushing lawsuits, or excessive regulation.
Sounds to me like just a verbal gaffe and not anything more.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but Sarah Palin was born in 1964 and basic health care in Canada wasn’t socialized untilthe 70’s, was it?”
The current system, as described under the Canada Health Act, came into existence in 1984. Prior to that, dating from the late 40s, were a number of other systems and funding plans, which also (and continue to) differ province to province. I have no idea offhand exactly when the Yukon Territory first instituted some sort of socialized medical care. Not that it particularly matters - then, as now, non-Canadians can access health care services in Canada, but will be billed for them.
So do we. And again the statistics show that it's about the same in both countries at about 25% of doctors being foreign trained.
It didn’t say “free”. It said they went to canada to get treatment.
Why in the world was it necessary to share this tidbit?”
Could it have anything to do with Mitt Romney’s inability to distance himself from MA healthcare and it’s similarity to Obamacare? Obfuscation?
I know several people who take weekend trips from Michigan to Canada for Lasik. Also know a few couples who’ve gone to Canada for fertility treatments. All pay cash money.
No, her supporters are busy denying that she said something that it seems she clearly said, with no proof other than they don’t like the false spin on what she said, and think she would be stupid for saying it.
Of course, once they realise she did say it, they will forget they ever said she was stupid for saying it.
Great point!!!!
I’m doubting this story. But,if true,doesn’t it show that a country with that system(?)could be abused.
Think, “lets go to the USA and let them pay for my operation.”
People hunt, trap, ect on both sides of border; wilderness for 100 miles of nothing. People are related on both sides of border, use other Nations Post Offices, and ignore gun regulations. Buy/sell, guns, boats, everything as state licenses are ignored, nobody has them and not enough people to bother starting a war over. Different than in lower 48.
Palin probably spoke the truth as she always does, no big deal. Nowadays, small bush communities are lucky to have an Indian Clinic with a White guy for EMT that is just as good as a doctor with net access to hospital doctors. Back then, people had to travel to any large community for health care or look up local root doctor.
People should be glad Palin's no liar. Been watching Palin since early 90's and a liar she is not.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.