Whether it be about the difficulties of finding a family doctor or the overcrowded emergency rooms, medical stories are a constant in the Montreal media. This week, however, is already proving to be exceptional.

The Montreal Gazette is reporting that two cardiologists from the Montreal Heart Institute and the Jewish General Hospital, respectively, are facing disciplinary action for allegedly accepting bribes from patients hoping to receive faster services.

The story began 14 months ago when the Gazette reported that several doctors from Montreal were accepting kickbacks and as a response, the Quebec College of Physicians launched an investigation. While the hearing dates have yet to be scheduled, cardiologists Jeffery Eisenberg and Andre Pasternac are two accused doctors.

When reached by the Gazette, Pasternac confessed to unknowingly accepting an envelope full of cash from a patient’s wife. Eisenberg could not be reached for comment.

Health Minister Yves Bolduc is not afraid to speak his mind but over the weekend, he accused some doctors of creating long waiting lists to profit from patients who then go to the doctors' own private clinics. He did not back away from the statement when asked about it last night.

	The problem is that if you have a long waiting list and sit with your patients and say, ‘You are going to have your operation in two weeks but you need to pay $10,000, or you are going to wait two years.' At that moment, I don't think the patient has a choice.
	— Yves Bolduc (CTV Montreal)

Yesterday, the Canadian Press’ Andy Blatchford reported that doctors in Maine are encouraging patients - particularly those near the city of Lewiston - to get screened for a genetic disease said to be passed down from those residents with French Canadian ancestors. From the report:

“Maine cardiologist Dr. Robert Weiss said there is an unusually high number of cases of the disease in the region near the city of Lewiston, which welcomed waves of French-Canadian migrant workers in the late 1800s. Mr. Weiss encourages area residents with francophone ancestors to get tested for familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) — even if they have no family history of cholesterol problems.”

FH can cause heart attacks at an early age.

Photo: rxb via Flickr (http://opnfil.es/zgcwWt)