The decision by Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams to go stateside for heart surgery has provided ammunition for opponents of health care reform in the United States.
The blogosphere was abuzz about the move Tuesday as anti-reformists trumpeted apparent weaknesses in Canada's health care system, a model some proponents of reform have suggested the U.S. should emulate.
Some pointed to it as proof of weaknesses in Canada's universal health-care system and vindication for those who oppose U.S. President Barack Obama's plans to overhaul the system south of the border.
A posting on right-wing website redstate.com entitled, "But I thought Canada's health care system was so much better," drew nearly 20 responses taking aim at the Canadian system.
"That's like the premier of China coming here for a decent egg roll," read one comment. "It must be pretty bad when even someone with his clout skips town for medical help."
Others wondered about all the fuss when someone uses their considerable personal financial resources to seek the best available treatment.
"Health care is there for anyone who can afford it," one reader wrote on politico.com, another popular U.S. site.
"It cracks me up when top tier folks get treatment in U.S. facilities and the right sees vindication."
Defenders of the status quo in the United States accused Mr. Williams of hypocrisy.
"How is it that the Canadian health care system is just fine for all the little people, but when a provincial premier hears the thump of mortality in his chest, it's off to Cedars-Sinai, Sloan-Kettering, or Mayo?" Dale Franks wrote on www.cando.net.
"But don't worry. When we get our free health care down here in the US, everything will be tiddly."
While much of the web chatter had a negative tone, not all of those weighing in described the premier's decision as a sign of weakness in Canada's health care model.
One Politico reader suggested that Mr. Williams, who is known for his often adversarial relationship with the federal Conservative government, was well aware of how the move might reflect on Ottawa.
"Danny Williams is known for trying to embarrass the Canadian government," he wrote.
"The reason he's going down south is because he can afford the $50,000 cost of getting surgery."