But the Canadian system does not permit doctors to charge patients outside the government system, except for things not provided under that system.

The Health Minister, Michael Noonan, said the new measure would permit social workers, nurses and doctors to provide information about abortion services.

When conditions permit doctors may attempt to stop premature labor, so that the pregnancy can have a chance to continue to full term.

That bill would also permit doctors to test patients for the AIDS virus without their consent.

It would permit independent doctors to bargain collectively to negotiate fees and working conditions with health plans.

Until recently, the hospital was often criticized for permitting unsupervised resident doctors to dominate patient care.

His family permitted doctors to disconnect life support, The Los Angeles Times quoted a hospital official as saying.

The Medicare statute permits doctors to "balance-bill" patients over and above the Medicare payment.

Earlier this month, voters in Oregon approved a law that permitted doctors to prescribe lethal drugs for terminally ill patients.

The Government will solicit public comment before permitting doctors to use this method of informing patients.