FED: Wooldridge says MRI report will show no leak

AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-1999
FED: Wooldridge says MRI report will show no leak

The federal government says it expects more than 20 radiologists to be recommended
for prosecution over a scam involving magnetic resonance imaging scanners.

Labor has alleged that radiologists may have ordered up to 52 of the $3 million scanners
to take advantage of a Medicare rebate announced in the 1998 budget.

That rebate is only available for service conducted on machines bought or ordered by
budget night.

Health Minister MICHAEL WOOLDRIDGE says a Health Insurance Commission report indicates
the backdating of contracts and people passing off contracts that were non-binding as
binding.

He's told ABC radio he expects there will be more than 20 radiologists recommended
for prosecution.

He says the report is expected to show no budget leak -- which Labor said caused the
scam -- but plenty of backdating of contracts.

AAP RTV mb/wz/rt

KEYWORD: MRI WOOLDRIDGE (CANBERRA)

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