Rand Paul to Get Surgery in Canada, Not US

But his spokesperson says resulting backlash is 'fake news' because it's a private hospital
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 14, 2019 2:22 PM CST
Rand Paul Going to Canada for Surgery
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks to members of the media at his office, Friday, Dec. 14, 2018, in Bowling Green, Ky.   (Austin Anthony/Daily News via AP)

The fallout from Rand Paul's 2017 fight with a neighbor continues: The Kentucky senator is going to Canada for surgery he says is related to an injury he got when Rene Boucher attacked him while he was mowing his lawn. Paul ended up with six broken ribs and a bruised lung, and is scheduled to have outpatient hernia surgery next week at Shouldice Hernia Hospital in Thornhill, Ontario, the Courier-Journal reports. Of course, much is being made about the fact that Paul is an opponent of socialized medicine and has compared universal health care, which Canada uses, to "slavery." But his spokesperson had a response for the criticism, noting the hospital Paul is utilizing is privately administered.

"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," the rep says. The Hill notes that the hospital bills itself as "the only licensed hospital in the world dedicated to repairing hernias." According to documents filed as part of Paul's civil lawsuit against Boucher, which is seeking money for medical costs related to the attack, the procedure is estimated to cost between $5,000 and $8,000. A jury trial for the civil case is scheduled for Jan. 28. Boucher pleaded guilty to the attack in March. (Paul has also recently had to deal with threats against his family.)

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