Canadian Premier's US Heart Surgery: "I Did Not Sign Away My Right To Get The Best Possible Health Care For Myself When I Entered Politics"

The Canadian Press reports that an "unapologetic Danny Williams says he was aware his trip to the United States for heart surgery earlier this month would spark outcry, but he concluded his personal health trumped any public fallout over the controversial decision."

"This was my heart, my choice and my health," Williams said late Monday from his condominium in Sarasota, Fla. "I did not sign away my right to get the best possible health care for myself when I entered politics."

"I wanted to get in, get out fast, get back to work in a short period of time," the premier said. "I would've been criticized if I had stayed in Canada and had been perceived as jumping a line or a wait list. ... I accept that. That's public life," he said. Tweet