The Star is lecturing Doctors not use patients in their effort to get a better deal.

As for business issues, the business of doctors is supposed to be to make people better, not to extend their suffering. That's why, if the anesthesiologists really cared about patients, they would act like professionals and cancel their one-day job action on Feb. 11.

Actually, the effect of the Canadian Health Act, and recent legislation by the Ontario Liberals to strengthen the same is to deny patients the ability to limit their suffering by attending on a private clinic. If the government really cared they would allow people and service providers to opt out. But this is not necessary in the view of the Star. Their solution: doctors should put their grievances to OMA negotiators. And then what? The government turns it down? The only relief for doctors comes from increased waiting lists. This puts political pressure on the government who then must respond. Of course the doctor who does not like the system should just get out and open his own clinic ...wait a second...that is illegal in Ontario. Fines of up to $25,000 per offence. So the only option then is to leave the province, to take your act south of the border. It really is the government way or the highway. If enough doctors take the highway route, which is unlikely as it involves moving your family away from their family and friends, then conditions will improve for the doctors who move in to take the place of the ones that are leaving. The Star, has been supporting the PM's claim that minority rights must be protected. Here's a minority that could stand some protection. Lawyers, dentists, accountants, plumbers, MBAs, roofers, teachers, and just about everyone else in this country are free to pursue their livelihood in the private sector, charging whatever the market dictates. Doctors are denied this "right". They are forced to work in a government monopoly where the only power they hold is to vote with their feet. It is disingenuous of the Star to pretend that it is otherwise.