Question of the Day: Paying to call the doctor

Bad enough that pediatricians are charging for filling out forms for camp applications and other health reports. Now, About's guide to Pediatrics, Dr. Vincent Ianelli, reports that many are starting to charge for after-hours phone calls. So many parents are apparently making nuisance calls with could-wait-for-business-hours questions that physicians feel they need to be compensated for their trouble. But if you have a child with special needs, for whom even a minor change in behavior could signal a major health crisis, the last thing you need is to be worrying whether a call is worth the cash. Do you think pediatricians are justified in charging for this service? Click on an answer below, and use your browser's back button if you want to pick more than one.
1) Yes, they're offering a professional service and should be compensated
2) Yes, they don't get paid enough by HMOs to offer free services anymore
3) I guess, but it bugs me
4) I don't think so, but it's a sign of the times
5) No, it's part of a job we've paid for already
6) No, and I think it's an outrage
7) Exceptions should be made for children with special needs
8) Exceptions should be made for families with financial needs
9) Only if they'll pay me for the time I waste in the waiting room
10) Other
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