The knee jerk reaction to the globe story on extra -billing is predictable, but short sighted

When people complain that they can't find a family doctor, it's because once upon a time the government banned extra billing, so really good doctors, who patient's thought it worth paying a premium for, made more money. Only the good doctors could do it, because otherwise the patient's just went somewhere else. 

Relatively doctors were paid more in those days,

When you take away the ability of doctors to innovate or provide extra value and charge for it, you get long waiting lists, mediocre health care and walk in clinics. 

Doctors are like everyone else. We have mortgages and kids who need to go to college. If you undercut our ability to provide better service at a higher price, guess what, doctors who train here will  go to the US; or give 5 min visits rather than better care for chronic disease and mental health. Canada is the only country in the world that still bans extra billing.