The gatekeeper physicians are under the gun not to refer to specialists-unless there is no other choice. The Right to Choose Yes. And a burden. With depression exist feelings of guilt. Freedom of choice.
Freedom of choice comes only when there is no coercion, overt or covert.
And it is not freedom and certainly not choice. A recent newspaper letter by a doctor described how he proceeded when a patient who was terminally ill stated he wished he were dead. The physician, upon hearing him repeat this a number of times, felt he had to offer relief. So he suggested that the man discontinue eating and drinking. The man objected, telling the doctor that eating food was his only pleasure.