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For more information
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There are 190 references in my favourites list. It takes time
to get them all entered and checked, and to provide a non biased summary.
Please bear with me, they are coming in search list order, but if you have
a specific speech or point you are looking for, e-mail me and I'll see
if I can provide a URL from my notebooks. BTW the emphasis on uploading
as I go also explains the transient spelling errors. Feel free to point
them out.
| Period | Prime Minister | Government Parties | Opposition Parties | Cross Benches |
| ? to March 1983 | Malcolm Fraser | Liberal, National | Australian Labor Party | Democrats (Senate) |
| March 83 to Dec 91 | Bob Hawke | Australian Labor Party | Liberal, National | Democrats (Senate) |
| Dec 91 to March 96 | Paul Keating | Australian Labor Party | Liberal, National | Democrats (Senate) |
| March 96 to present | John Howard | Liberal, National | Australian Labor Party | Democrats (Senate) |
| Name | Role | Home page | |
| Dr Michael Wooldridge MP | Liberal Minister for Health
Medically trained |
Parliamentary
Personal |
Michael.Wooldridge.MP@aph.gov.au |
| Ms Jenny Macklin MP | ALP
Shadow Minister for Health |
Parliamentary | Jenny.macklin.MP@aph.gov.au |
| Mr Kim Beazley MP | ALP. Leader of the Opposition 99 | Parliamentary | |
| Mr John Howard | Liberal Prime Minister 99 | Parliamentary | |
| Mr John Herron | Liberal Senator. Medically trained | Parliamentary | |
| AHTAC | Australian Health & Technology Advisory Panel.
Successor body to NHTAP |
Publications Index | |
| MSAC Medicare Services Advisory Committee | Took over from the AHTAC in 1998
"The principal role of MSAC is to advise the Minister on evidence relating to the safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of new medical technologies and procedures. This advice will help to inform Government decisions about which new medical services should attract funding under Medicare. " |
Homepage | msac.secretariat@health.gov.au |
| AIH Australian Institute of Health | Established by N.Blewitt in 1984 as part of the Department of Health .focusing on public health, social medicine, health statistics and health economics | ||
| A. S. Podger | Secretary, Department of Health and Aged Care | ||
| Dr Barry Catchlove | Chair of the Health Insurance Commission from 30 July
98
Managing Director of Health care of Australia (HCoA) at May 12 1998 |
HCoA | |
| Dr Jeff Harmer | Managing Director of the Health Insurance Commission | Health Insurance Commission | |
| Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR formerly and a.k.a. RACR) | Professional College of Radiologists | Members Index
Non-Members Index |
ranzcr@ranzcr.edu.au |
| ADIA Australian Diagnostic Imaging Association | Industry lobby group | ||
| HIC Health Insurance Commission | Federal department administering the Medicare arrangements and particularly Medicare payments. | ||
| DPP | Federal director of public prosecution.The office responsible for developing a legal case and prosecuting. |
| Date | Chamber / Page No. | Issue | URL | Comment | Ref |
| March 27 1984 | Senate 750 | Answer to question posted 18/11/93 Q. List of new committees for the Health Portfolio | URL | Includes Technical Committee on NMR, involving no extra departmental staff. | 84-1 |
| Oct. 11 1984 | Senate 1647 | Question asking if the Govt has considered sending experts
to study MRI scanners.
A. Initial plans for evaluation are based on installing scanners in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. |
URL | The first major description of a plan to introduce MRI into the Australian Health funding system. The policy (recommended by the NHTAP MR Technical committee) was implemented by a Labor government with substantial involvement and direction by State health departments, physicists and radiologists. | 84-2 |
| Date | Chamber / Page No. | Issue | URL | Comment | Ref |
| March 21 1985 | House 731 | Reply to Governor General's remarks on the opening of parliament | URL | Cursory reference describing the period between discovery of a fundamental idea and its general application. | 85-1 |
| May 20 1985 | House 2666 | Outline of plans to introduce MRI services into Australia " in a rational and planned way" | URL | Description of public funding plans for MRI The policy was to provide Medicare funding of MRI at a limited number of approved sites in conjunction with evaluation of the role of the technology and its impact of clinical outcomes. The Health Minister reports the price of scanners as between $1.2 and $2.6 million. | 85-2 |
| Sept. 19 1985 | Senate 446 | List of consultants used by the department of health. Cites Dr. David Drewhurst (biomedical engineer) 22 days work $14.283 W.Hill $13.076 | URL | Dr Drewhurst's report is on public record . It should be available form the Australian Government printers, but for serious researchers I can provide a copy. email gbrown1@mail.rah.sa.gov.au. It describes the the state of MRI in the world and some vision of it introduction into Australia. | 85-3 |
| Nov. 19 1985 | House 3159 | Details of Advisory panel membership & remuneration & travel allowances | URL | NHTAP MR Technical Committee
David Haley I McDonald William Sorby, Geoffrey Burness, David Dewhurst, W.Hare, Angus Robertson, Ken Siddle, J,Glancy. |
85-4 |
| Date | Chamber / Page No. | Issue | URL | Comment |
| Feb. 11 1986 | House 1253 | List of consultancies commissioned by the Health Department. | URL | Prof Burness & Dr. Hill to evaluate MR equipment. |
| August 19 1986 | Senate 65 | Q. Why locate MRI at Royal North Shore Hospital
? What about the large population in the Western Suburbs of Sydney?
A. Current policy is to place a scanner in each of the 5 mainland states. Location is the choice of State Governments. |
URL | The efforts to secure an MRI scanner in the west of Sydney
(Liverpool particularly) continue. See later Hansard entries and press
releases.
To date they haven't been successful. |
| Sept. 16 1986 | House 661 | Report of Overseas travel sponsored by the department of Health. | URL | Includes an Engineer travelling to UCSF to study quantification of blood flow by MR |
| Sept. 17 1986 | House 847 | Health Legislation Amendment Bill No.2 2nd reading | URL | Cursory reference. Increased funding to assist patient travel should help access to MRI for those living in the country. |
| Sept. 25 1986 | Senate 806 | Health Legislation Amendment Bill No.2 2nd reading | URL | Virtually the same speech as above. MRI described as a " highly specialized service" and grouped with liver and heart transplants and lithotripsy" |
| Date | Chamber / Page No. | Issue | URL | Comment |
| March 17 1987 | Senate 837 | Q: Outline the plans for MRI service provision in Australia. posted on notice Dec.2 86 | URL | Sen Tate ALP outlines the purpose and method of the NHTAP
supervised introduction of MRI and the assessment programme.
The initial public funding of MRI in Australia. |
| March 19 1987 | House 1106 | AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF HEALTH BILL 1987: Second Reading Changing the AIH from a branch of the health department to a statutory body | URL | The AIH was the organizational entity responsible for developing plans to introduce MRI to Australia |
| April 1 1987 | House 1926 | Q. What are purposes of the Health Programme Grants (HPG)
A. Increased funding and new projects. $1M family planning, $666,000 new clinics. $5M evaluation costs for 5 MRI sites |
URL | Australian Federal MRI FUnding
applied to :
Royal North Shore Hospital - Sydney, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital - Brisbane, Sir Charles Gairdner Medical Centre - Perth N.B. At the time a private scanner was in operation in Sydney (Edgecliff). |
| Date | Chamber / Page No. | Issue | URL | Comment |
| Nov. 30 1988 | House 3577 | Standing Committee on Science and Technology | URL | Cursory reference. Dr.Wooldridge, making his first reference to MRI points out that superconducting materials are used in MRI scanners |
| Date | Chamber / Page No. | Issue | URL | Comment |
| Nov. 27 1989 | House 2141 | Q. Is the Govt pathology and radiology services rendered by GPs ? A. No but measures to limit serious growth in Medicare spending on Radiology are being developed. | URL | A 1987 review of diagnostic services conducted by the Health department recommends " arms length" referral. the RACR attributes the growth to medical entrepreneurs, the establishment of single owner multi-disciplinary clinics that own include diagnostic services and self refer internally. MRI services were to be included in rules banning self referral generally. |
| Date | Chamber / Page No. | Issue | URL | Comment |
| May 25 1990 | Senate 1128 | Q. Is MRI better than CT (for tumours). Is the government
considering widening the availability of MRI.
A. Can't offer a medical opinion. Question referred to the Health Minister |
URL | see answer provided May 28 1990 |
| May 28 1990 | Senate 1197 | A. re provision of MRI in ACT. Medicare benefited available since July 1985 restricted to services at 7 public hospitals RNSH, RAH, Alfred, RMH, St Vincent's, SCGH | URL | Observes that the controlled evaluation process is intended to "discourage dissemination of expensive technology." |
| Sept. 10 1990 | Senate 2418 | Budget Documents. | URL | Speech by Sen. Herron making cursory reference to MRI as a recent medical technology. |
| Nov. 8 1990 | House 3642 | COMMUNITY SERVICES AND HEALTH LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) 1990: Second Reading | URL | Part 3 of the Bill reflects the results of a review initiated in 1987 into diagnostic services, and ways to control the provision |
| Nov. 26 1990 | Senate 4426 | COMMUNITY SERVICES AND HEALTH LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) | URL | Notes that the 1987 review of diagnostic imaging services (that lead to the concept and practice of introducing MR in a controlled manner) was initiated after RACR claims that the rapid rise in cost to Medicare form diagnostic services was due to the emergence of self referral radiology by "medical entrepreneurs " |
| Date | Chamber / Page No. | Issue | URL | Comment |
| Feb. 1991 | House 425 | Q. B.Woods Are specific hospitals listed on the schedule
for medicare payments ? Do they have machines in operation ? If not why
are they listed ?
A. The sites are listed following a request by the Victorian Government and in anticipation of installations. Scanners are not in operation, but St Vincent's will install in March and Prince Alfred has plans to purchase. |
URL. | . |
| Sept 19 1991 | Senate Estimates Committee P 145 | Health Advancements:
Senator asks Dr Primrose what is the departments current thinking on MRI as a cancer detection tool. Dr P relies it is good in the CNS but poorer than other methods elsewhere. It lacks specificity and is not a screening tool |
URL | Dr Mountford's work on cancer screening with MRS is mentioned |
| Date | Chamber / Page No. | Issue | URL | Comment |
| May 7 1992 | Senate 2439 | Q. What funds were committed to MRI in South Australia
as part of the Hospital Enhancement programme ?
A. SA State govt received $4.3m for MRI at Royal Adelaide Hospital, and Flinders Medical Centre |
URL | This amount probably included the (approx.) $2.2M of funds for the HPG at both institutions which left $2.1M for purchase of a new scanner at RAH |
| Nov. 25 1992 | Senate 3527 | Medicare Levy Amendment Bill | URL | Sen. Herron debating the Medicare model (based on the Canadian universal health care system) uses the waiting time for MRI as evidence that MEdicare is failing. He cites the waiting time in Canada as 3 months and noted a 5 month waiting time in W.A. |
| Date | Chamber / Page No. | Issue | URL | Comment |
| Date | Chamber / Page No. | Issue | URL | Comment |
| Feb 2 1994 | House 255 | Q. The opposition asks why was the Medicare rebate for
MRI withdrawn, why is there a 6 month waiting list, why are private MRI
scanners (charging $500-$900 per scan) not eligible for MRI funding.
A. The Medicare rebate was an interim measure for the period of initial assessment. In July 92 a system of grants to States were used for funding MRI (HPG). Waiting times in Victoria are 4 weeks for routine exams and there is no evidence of waiting times longer than that. New MRI scanners in NSW are due on line soon. The Govt target of 18 scanners nationally (one per 1,000,000 people) will be operating by late 94. |
URL | The answer should be read in full. It is a thorough summary fo MRI funding policy in Australia under the Labor government, to that point |
| March 14 1994 | Senate 1496 | MOPI: Medicare Levy. Govt. moves to increase the level of the Medicare levy are criticized as a sign that Medicare is not a workable system. Waiting times for MRI are cited as evidence that the system is failing | URL | Similar logic to that used by Sen Herron on Nov 25 1992. At this stage MRI was not funded under Medicare but under Health Programme grants as detailed in the debate of Feb 2 1994 |
| May 5 1994 | House 405 | Question on Notice: Will the Govt act to reduce Medical
Costs, and will it act to reduce charges made by doctors?
Health Expenditure increased by 10.42% p.a. (current prices) and 3.9% p.a. in real terms. Total health costs 91/92 $33.2 billion or @$1904 per person. Govt policy is to restrict high costs technology to restrain total health costs. |
URL | Statement of ALP approach to arrival of high cost medical
technology. Puts ALP policy to emerging technology.
See last line : "The Government will continue to promote efficiency in the delivery, pricing and funding of health care, and at the same time, continue to seek to improve the quality and appropriateness of care and health outcomes for patients" |
| June 2 1994 | Senate 1278 | Q. Is there a review of MRI funding in progress? Who is conducting the review ? What does the RACR want? | URL | RACR had requested Govt. apply a Medicare fee. Govt refused and explained present policy. Answer claims 14 public scanners The cost for MRI services (federal) for 94/5 was $21.5M |
| Date | Chamber / Page No. | Issue | URL | Comment |
| March 1 1995 | Senate 1174 | Q. O'Chee (Nat) Does the government have any plans
to change MRI funding for North Queensland ?
A. The Govt. policy is to introduce expensive technology in a controlled way. |
URL | The government senator noted that this is not the first time private operators have introduced expensive technology and tried to force the provision of Medicare benefits. |
| March 6 1995 | Senate 1375 | Answer to Q. re MRI service in Qld and NT, and the policy of the Govt (ALP) to MRI funding | URL | Explanation of situation. Support for HPG method, Note NT Govt buys scans from private scanner. Announcement of request to AHTAC to review funding at April 95 meeting |
| May 10 1995 | Senate 112 | Cursory reference in debate on private and public emergency health centres | URL | |
| May 26 1995 | Estimates Committee | Sen. Woods questions Dept officials on availability of MRI services in Australia | URL |
| Date | Chamber / Page No. | Issue | URL | Comment |
| January 31 1996 | Press Release | Dr Lawrence opening MRI facility at Princess Alexandra Hospital announces extra health funding for States. | URL | . |
| May 29 1996 | House 1806 | What is being done to ensure Liverpool and South West Sydney has access to adequate MRI services? | URL | NSW has 4 units funded under the HPG programme and a
review of MRI services is underway (AHTAC)
See also Media release 1999 |
| Sept. 10 1996 | House 3830 | Betaferon listed on Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule for treatment of remitting, relapsing multiple sclerosis with 2 documented attacks over 2 years proven on MRI | URL | . |
| Oct. 14 1996 | House 5307 | Petition on supplying Betaferon to treat multiple sclerosis | URL | . |
| Dec. 13 1996 | House 1806 | Cursory reference | URL | . |
| Date | Chamber / Page No. | Issue | URL | Comment |
| March 17 1997 | Senate 1619 | Cursory reference to MRI in Euthanasia debate, pointing out that diagnostic methods can be wrong | URL | . |
| June 24 1997 | House | Health Insurance Amendment Bill . Wooldridge recounts a dinner conversation with the Health Minister of Johannesburg concerning her daughter having MRI for headache. | URL | Johannesburg has about the same number of MRI scanners as Australia, but the story is offered as a sign of overuse. |
| Oct. 1 1997 | Press release | Text of Wooldridge's address to the Canberra press Club | URL | Insignificant repeat of Johanesburg story. |
| Nov. 14 1997 | Press Release | Announcement of research grants, including $600,000 over 3 years for Dr Caroline Mountford's MRRI | URL | . |
| Date | Chamber / Page No. | Issue | URL | Comment |
| April 16 1998 | Economic Review Committee | Funding of replacement nuclear reactor | URL | MRI discussed as a replacement for nuclear medicine techniques, thus reducing the need for production of medical isotopes |
| April 16 1998 | Economic Review Committee | Funding of replacement nuclear reactor | URL | More as above by Dr Chatterton, nuclear medicine physician, arguing that nuc med is cheaper and often better than MRI |
| May 5 1998 | House Committee | Consideration on Health cost agreement between States and Federal Government | URL | WA senator citing MRI as an expensive developing technology that the States largely fund before attracting federal attention. Argument doesn't appear to be logical |
| May 12 1998 | Budget Papers | Budget Measures in Health & Family Services | URL | . |
| May 12 1998 | Budget Papers | Economic & Fiscal Outlook Statements | URL | Under measures to result in savings:
agreement with the diagnostic imaging profession to limit servicing costs while improving access to magnetic resonance imaging services. |
| May 12 1998 | Budget papers | Summary of budget measures and costs over 3 years | URL | . |
| May 12 1998 | Budget Papers | Outlays: Statistical Statement | URL | . |
| May 12 1998 | Press Release | Health Budget press release detailing announcements for health | URL | Includes change of funding for MRI in the context of an agreement with the RACR to limit growth in Diagnostic Imaging costs in real terms |
| May 12 1998 | Press Release | Summary of Health budget | URL | |
| May 13 1998 | House 3180 | Questions following Budget speech. MRI listed as a benefit to the community | URL | "Introduction of MRI rebate in a controlled manner, unlike CT" |
| June 16 1998 | Joint committee | Discussion of communications with Norfolk Island and the requirements of teleradiology | URL | Cursory reference |
| November 23 1998 | House 464 | Discussion on the dangers of boxing and moves to ban child participation. | URL | MRI confirms autopsy evidence of diffuse brain damage in boxers. |
| September 1 1998 | Press Release | Wooldridge announces new rebates for MRI services | URL | Fee of $475 per scan including a component for capital costs. Expected services to be available form 78 sites. |
| November 30 1998 | Economic Review Committee | Funding of replacement nuclear reactor | URL | Dr Green (?) argues strongly that nuclear medicine should be replaced by non isotope radiology including MRI |
| December 23 1998 | Press release | Wooldridge offers support for an MRI scanner at Liverpool Hospital. Funds to be provided from the adjustment and relocation scheme announced in may 1998 budget. | URL | After the October 1999 debate and ministerial statements the resulting establishment of the 1999 MRI review appears to have reversed the decision to proceed with a new scanner at Liverpool |
| Date | Chamber / Page No. | Issue | URL | Comment |
| Feb. 9 1999 | House 2190 | Q.Jenny Macklin asks:
Are you aware of concerns that some radiologists had inside or early knowledge of the MRI funding conditions.? A. Michael Wooldridge: Yes the HIC is aware of those rumours. |
URL | Start of the "Scan Scam" debate in the political arena |
| Feb. 9 1999 | House 2191 | HIC says decision to decision to extend Medicare eligibility
to scanners under contract not installed was made by the Minister.
Q. Were any of the people under investigation by the HIC , involved in the pre budget negotiations ? Wooldridge A. doesn't know who is under investigation and will not enquire while the investigation is in progress. |
URL | This statement was later contested vigorously by the
opposition.
Wooldrideg saya that anyone making false statutory declarations will be prosecuted. He states that "decision (to include ordered scanners) was one of fairness—that people who had placed a genuine order should be able to have it arrive in Australia" |
| Feb. 10 1999 | House 2347 | Opposition Leader asks why investigations into 15 suspect purchase contracts are taking so long. | URL | Mention of the Cap agreement between
RACR and Govt acting to limit the effect of over claiming from extra MRI
scanners.
Wooldridge says CAP agreement will include MRI Scans. This statement appears to be contradicted later |
| Feb. 10 1999 | House 2351 | MOPI Beazley .on the accountability of the Howard Government. Refers to MRI machines costing $3.5 M and accruing Medicare fees of $1.5 M p.a. Draws comparison with the Centrelink scams and the poor investigation record of the government. | URL | Mr Beazley discusses the performance of government
ministers and the Prime Minister's lack of resolve to hold them accountable
for errors.
N.B. MRI machines don't cost $3.5M each. A more typiacl figure would be $2-2.5M. |
| Feb. 11 1999 | House 25135 | Q Asking if the Minister instigated an enquiry into 15
suspect MRI Purchase contracts to determine if the were signed by the appropriate
date, and binding
? A. Wooldridge. " I didn't instigate an investigation, ...the investigation occurring is a normal examination of process (by the HIC). The HIC reported to the minister that to date (10/2/22) there is no reason to believe anybody had advanced information about the MRI funding policy conditions announced in the budget. |
URL | This statement would be later questions in house and senate. |
| Feb. 11 1999 | House 2514 | Q. McClelland Has there been 21 new scanners contracted
for purchase in a very short time. Is the Minister aware or widespread
industry rumours that some people had acted on inside knowledge of the
Budget decision to effect these orders just before budget ?
A. Wooldridge. No evidence that the units were ordered in the weeks before budget, they were ordered in the 12 months before budget. Wooldridge denies and refutes any allegation of a leak from his office |
URL | Scanner Numbers
62 sites around Feb. 1998, 21 new orders known of by Feb. 99. Total 83 compared to the figure of 78 given in Sept 98 The assertion about when these scanners were ordered is later proved to be incorrect. |
| Feb. 11 1999 | House 2516 | Opposition first requests dates of suspect contracts.
Minister explains decision to investigate contracts taken before the budget. (measures to asses proper conduct) |
URL | Comparison of level of MRI service with Germany US ,Japan.
Minister had no evidence of a rush of orders. Later reports prove that to be incorrect Minister claims it takes 12 months between order and operation. |
| Feb. 11 1999 | House 2519 | Beazley
Is there any correspondence evaluating the risk of over expenditure on MRI ? Wooldridge asserts that the MRI decision cannot cause over expenditure as the full radiology costs to Medicare (including the MRI amounts) are globally capped. |
URL | This is the second mention of a cap on radiology including MRI. At this stage members of RACR appeared to believe that MRI funding was uncapped. Later it was clear that the Govt. was to carry the cost of overspending on MRI, so the expenditure was not capped at all and the projected budget saving was at risk. The Auditor General's Report critsized the Dept for not assessing the risk of overexpenditure. |
| 16 Feb. 1999 | House 2832 | Q. Macklin. Didn't Dr Wooldridge admit (15/2/99)
that there were people who knew the MRI Rebate decision before it was announced
at Budget ?
A.Wooldridge. Absolutely not. |
URl | Wooldridge says his public statemets since Oct 97 were that he would try to find funding for MRI. THis was common knowledge. |
| Feb. 16 1999 | House 2831 | Macklin Q What was discussed with the President
and other members of the RACR in the fortnight before the 1988 budget release?
Wooldridge I had a meeting in that period (May 5th), the College made their points we (Health) didn't tell them what we would do. |
URL | Wooldridge's answer to this question would be later questioned heavily. There are indications that there were more than one meetings in that period. The significance of the answer is probably more political than economic. |
| Feb. 16 1999 | House 2833 | Macklin Q Will the budget provision for MRI blow
out from $19.5M to $59.5M because of extra scanners? Present scanners
(18) perform 11,000 scans per month and the budget allows for 10,000 per
month with more scanners.
A. There is no blow out. Iit is predicted that we will be under 120,000 scans in the worst case. The 3 year estimate of 403,000 scans looks about right .Wooldridge also says: "We would never have got the radiologists on board for the cooperative approach that they have taken to help us in other areas unless we funded MRI" |
URL | A question aimed at exposing the budget's underestimation
of the number of allowable scanners and the capacity of each to generate
Medicare chargeable services. The question reflects concerns of many in
the public hospital sector on analysing the budget announcement.
In Feb99 the HIC discounted the possibility of an MRI cost over run.
There assumptions were based on Medicare claims for Oct. to Dec 98.
This opinion was to change significantly later
Wooldridges aanswer strongly linked MRI and the Diagnostic Imaging agreement. MRI funding was the sweetner for the DI deal. The Federal government appears to underwrite any risk of exceeding scan targets. |
| March 8 1999 | Senate 2321 | Q. Contrasting the approaches to consultation with professional groups. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) , the peak medical organization in Australia was not contacted during the preparation of the Health legislation Amendments Bill No.4, but lobbying and close consultation was allowed from the RANZCR on the MRI decision. | URL | . |
| March 10
1999 |
Senate 2598 | Repeat of attempt to get the signature dates of recent MRI purchase contracts as notified to the Health Dept | URL | This move would escalate but not be satisfied until the release of HIC reports and the end of investigations |
| May 19 1999 | Press release | Wooldridge
Address to Symposium of Health Insurance Fund Managers. |
URL | Includes the note to himself to:
"make special mention of the Pathology Agreement and last years agreement about Diagnostic Imagining and MRI scanners. Despite what's often said and thought, ageing is not the biggest driver in costs in health but an increased demand for new technology. " |
| May 27 1999 | Press Release | Macklin.Asserting that a radiology cost blow out is due in particular to excessive MRI scanners., and that Radiologists indicate that moves to maintain the DI agreement by reducing Medicare rebates will result in increased patient contributions (the billed price will remain). Other "capped agreements are also failing ot meet limits | URL | . |
| June 8 1999 | House 6253 | Macklin. Response to health section of the 99/2000 budget. Figures given document blow out in Radiology costs to Medicare over past 3 years. | URL | The DI agreement was overspent by $35 M in the
first year, CT and US costs are up substantially.
MRI claims were at 13,000 per month, with more machines to come on line. Senate Committe figures say 31 units were ordered just before the budget night May 1998. |
| Sept. 27 1999 | House 895 | Procedural record Wooldridge Tabled documents
Letter from Dr. J Earwaker Acting President of RACR to Dr Wooldridge dated May 15 1998 Statutory Declaration from Ms Penny Rogers 27/9/99 re meetings with RACR e-mail from Ms R Davis (ex employee of HIC) to K Smith dated 28/9/99 |
URL | . |
| Sept. 27 1999 | Press release | Macklin "MRI Cover-Up Starts to Unravel"
Newspaper reports quote Dr Peter Carr saying that the Minister communicated his budget decicion (to include ordered scanners) to Radiologists at an informal meting in early May (May 6th) The documets tabled in Parliament refute that allegation, so there is an urgent need for a proper investigation. |
URL | . |
| Sept. 28 1999 | House 10752 | Macklin asks what the RACR knew about the budget decision before it was announced. | URL | Wooldridge asserts that RACR representatives at the May 6th meeting knew there would be a supply side measure, but didn't know what it would be and were told clearly that even that much information must be confidential until the budget announcement. |
| Sept. 28 1999 | House 10753 | Question asking if members of the RACR Executive or MRI
task force held 14 of the 31 contracts for the purchase of MRI scanners.
Will the Minister tell the house the dates fo the 31 suspect contracts? Has the HIC compiled its report and referred 1 case to DPP? Wooldridge said he didn't think the HIC had to release information, but confirmed one case already referred to DPP because of possible backdating of contract. Wooldridge says that Backdating proves that in that ase there was no advance knowledge, or at least no effective action on that knowledge. |
URL | Backdating could also occur if there was non-specific pre budget information, i.e. knowledge that there would be some form side restriction (ineffective action) Or the modification of a contract based on the budget announcement. |
| Sept. 28 1999 | House 10754 | Macklin. following from the statutory declaration
by Penny Rogers, tabled on Sept 27. Why aren't proper records or minutes
of significant meetings kept ?
Wooldridge : Such matters are not my concern |
URL | The poor record keeping of the Department were later critisized in the Auditor General's report |
| Sept. 29 1999 | House 913 | Procedural record Wooldridge tabled Statutory Declaration by Ms R.A. David re meetings with RACR | URL | Offered in response to earlier questions form Macklin re minutes of meetings between Wooldridge, HIC, and the RACR. |
| Sept. 29 1999 | Press Release | Macklin: Minister Admits Radiologists had Knowledge
SAys that Wooldridge stated a manufacturer (un named) was urging Radiologists to place orders before the budget stating they had received specific inside knowledge on the impending budget policy. |
URL | The Manufacturer in the allegation has never been publicly identified. the information was gained from a sent by a former employee of an MRI supply company. |
| Sept. 30 1999 | House 11094 | Further attempt to explore the possibility of a pre budget leak. Statement the speculation, by an MRI supply company, that there would be a supply side restriction on scanners started in Feb 98. i.e. before the issue of including contracted scanners was raised with the Minister. | URL | Further linking of MRI and the radiology cap agreement.
Wooldridge said that the DI agreement was yielding savings,( despite the assertions made by the opposition spokesperson.) |
| Sept. 30 1999 | House11095 | Beazley asked if the Health minister was aware
that 14 of the new MRI machines were purchased by companies associated
with members of the RACR executive?
Howard (PM) answered No and supported his Minister's integrity |
URL | . |
| 30 Sept. 1999 | Senate Notice Paper 74 | Questions placed on notice Sept. 29.
Answered in the Senate December 6th 1999 |
URL | Go to end of the document to find Questions 1641-1651. Re who Dr Wooldridge discussed budget plans with. Some radiologists are named in the questions |
| Oct. 11 1999 | House 11210 | Q. What steps are being taken to determine the financial
impact of the budget measures on MRI funding ?
A. The HIC is determining how many contracts would benefit from the decision to include scanners ordered but not installed by May 12 1998. the normal expenditure review committee process is being applied. |
URL | The answer also states that the Minister for Finance and Resources considers that MRI costs are included with the DI agreement and are capped. This is used to imply that no matter what the oppostion say abou this issue it isn't financially significant. |
| Oct. 12 1999 | House 11305 | Q. How many contracts were signed between May 6th and
May 12 1998
A. Wooldridge did not confirm any contract details, as it may compromise the current investigation. |
URL | Reference is made in the question, to a purchase contract signed just hours before the budget announcement. |
| Oct. 12 1999 | House 11305 | Q Was the Minister aware that Radiologists he spoke to
in a pre budget meeting (May 6) were involved in MRI service provisions.
Why were they not asked to declare confilcts of interest?
A. I can't be expected to know about their practice details. |
URL | The lack of clear statements on these Drs. conflict of interest and secrecy obligations was later commented upon by the Auditor General's report. |
| Oct. 12 1999 | House 11306 | Q Why didn't the Minister ask about their interest in MRI? | URL | Because the negotiations were at an end |
| Oct. 12 1999 | Press release | Macklin "Minister Backs Into a Corner" | URL | "Sources close to the radiology industry have informed
the Opposition that many contracts were signed after the final meeting
on 6th May 1998 between the Minister and the radiologists.
In fact one contract was allegedly signed just six hours before the budget. " |
| Oct. 13 1999 | Senate 9588 | Q. Evans Were negotiating parties required to
declare pecuniary interests and make undertakings of confidentiality
A. Herron No |
URL | 91 new machines have been installed under Lib Govt Vs the 18 funded under HPG with an ALP Govt Comments |
| Oct.13 1999 | Senate 9590 | Q.Evans What is the outcomes of investigations
by the HIC into 31 MRI purchases
A. Herron Investigation began ? April 99, Conclusion was expected in June 99, now expected Nov. 99 |
URL | Sen. Herron cites
92 registered machines with 84 currently accessing funds. 1 case referred to DPP for suspected backdating of contract Other cases of suspected backdating being pursued |
| Oct. 14 1999 | House 11570 | Health Insurance Amendment (Diagnostic Imaging Services)
Bill 1999 Second Reading
Comments focus on the feasability of Radiologist to provide sufficient quality assurance. Reference to MRI is cursory |
URL | Opposition Spokesperson calls fro consultation with radiographers when developing diagnostic Imaging policy and better standarsd for "rural services" |
| Oct. 18 1999 | House 11746 | Opposition Leader seek leave to move a censure motion against Minister of Health | URL | Direct censure motion defeated. Motion to enable censure debate passed. First reading follows. |
| Oct. 18 1999 | Senate 955 | Procedural. Notice Tabling Documents & Votes
Tabled Minute from HIC J.Harmer "Applications for Approval of MRI Equipment Letter from Barry Catchlove, Chair HIC |
URL | Debates and Speeches in following listings |
| Oct. 18 1999 | House 11742 | Health Ministers statement outlining the unacceptable proliferation of scanners, and Govt decisions to alter MRI funding arrangements as of Nov. 1 99, and investigations into validity of MRI purchase contracts | URL | Acknowledgement of the "scan scam" The issue breaks,
after continuous opposition attention since the senate committee hearings
of Feb. 99.
J.Harmer's minutes indicate that the HIC has been notified about 111 scanners |
| Oct. 18 1999 | House 11744 | Macklin Response to Ministerial Statement. Asserts Wooldridge displayed Ministerial incompetence | URL | Macklin says 111 scanners is double what the AHTAC report called for |
| Oct. 18 1999 | Press Release | Wooldridge "Minister Slams Allaeged MRI Scam"
Pess release summarizing his statement in the house explaining the discovery of an unacceptable number of MRI scanners. |
URL | 52 applications for new MRI scanners (uninstalled but supposedly under contract before May 12 1998 ) including 13 lodged in October 1999 |
| Oct. 18 1999 | Press Release | Transcript of Interview of Kim Beazley and Jenny Macklin
Call for Royal Commisssion. "Biggest Scam in living memory" Could cost $150 M |
URL | . |
| Oct. 19 1999 | House 963 | Procedural paper. Notice of Motion to Censure the Health Minister Michael Wooldridge for misleading Parliament, careless action to allow financial gain from inside knowledge, failure to take Dept advice to stop rort. | URL | Summary of motions and results of division.
Motions defeated. Debates listed below. |
| Oct. 19 1999 | House 999 | Order of Business
Lists the censure motion, voting results (defeated) and the tabling of Documents |
URL | Dr Wooldridge's Diary for week beginning May 5th 1999 (should this be the diary of 1998? |
| Oct. 19 1999 | House 11819 | Macklin Asserting that the sudden increase in
MRI scanner orders can be explained by insider knowledge of the budget
decision.
Wooldridge Says he has no evidence to suggest a budget leak, but that there is some evidence to suggest backdating of contracts and contracts that are non binding. |
URL | The debate on inside knowledge and false contracts
remains the most politically significant one. Wooldridge asserts
there is no possibility of a budget blow out due to the capped funding
agreement. back dated contracts would imply fraud or wrong doing
by purchasers by making contracts after the budget announcement.
Passing conditional contracts as binding would represent another fraud
on a contract made before the budget.
Inside knowledge, would come from a budget leak, and that would imply improper behaviour or incompetence of the health department or minister. during the pre budget decision making, ...or a breach of confidentiality by radiologists or others involved in the approved pre budget discussions. |
| Oct. 19 1999 | House 11820 | Macklin Questions regarding a budget leak | URL | same answer |
| Oct. 19 1999 | House 11821 | Leak Question | URL | Wooldridge will await HIC report and seek advice of teh Auditor General and teh Australian Government Solicitor. |
| Oct. 19 1999 | House 11822 | Macklin Q Will the Auditor General's Probity enquiry
examine the conduct of the Minister and his Office ?
Wooldridge " The AG may do as he wishes |
URL | . |
| Oct. 19 1999 | House 11823 | If the AG enquiry constituted under section 20 of the AG act, it will not be able to compel witnesses to attend or produce documents, therefore the opposition calls for a Royal Commission | URL | .Wooldridge says there is no grounds for a Royal Commission as there is no evidence of wrong doing |
| Oct. 19 1999 | House 11824 | Response to statement on AM (Australian radio news programme)-
Q. Will Wooldridge release details of the 48 contracts evidently signed between the 10th and 12th May 1998 ? A. Wooldridge said the HIC advise was to release nothing at this stage. |
URL | . |
| Oct. 19 1999 | House 11825 | Macklin Did the Health Minister have an informal
private meeting with the College of Radiologits but without HIC staff?
Wooldridge No |
URL | See later |
| Oct. 19 1999 | House 11826 | Q Were fund-raising events organized by 2 people (named
in Hansard) who are linked with MRI purchases , and who were appointees
to positions in the NHMRC and Medibank Private
A.Woodlridge Yes one did organise fundraising. (later refuted in parliament) |
URL | Wooldridge states " I don't believe I spoke to any Radiologists
other than the meeting with RANZCR May 5-12." Wooldridge was first told
by the HIC of the likelihood of a supply side measure on May 5th 1998
It later became clear that teh person in question did not arrange the dinner. See October 20th |
| Oct. 19 1999 | House 11826 | Censure Motion by Beazley. 4 charges
fourthly, since being first challenged on these issues by us in this House as early as 9 February this year, the minister for health has deliberately and misleadingly obfuscated on his role in the negotiations and on the consequences to the budget bottom line. |
URL | Speech says
May 12 1998 there were 59 operating scanners 52 orders notified to the department 48 of these were ordered after negotiations with RACR began |
| Oct. 19 1999 | House 11836 | Censure debate motion Speech and voting | URL | rhetorical speach |
| Oct. 19 1999 | House 11844 | Procedural text . MOPI Call for Royal Commission | URL | . |
| Oct. 19 1999 | Senate 9914 | Evans Q Do you stand by your previous comments
in the light of Wooldridge's Ministerial Statement.
Herron A |
URL | This sort of question marked the session in the senate. It tries to sort out the validity of previous statements , or it tries to catch out or harass the parliamentarians, depending on your opinion. |
| Oct. 19 1999 | Senate 9916 | Question trying to find out who initiated the HIC investigation process into MRI purchase contracts, and the value placed on the "anonymous" tip off, disclosed in Senate Estimates committee in May 4 1999 | URL | Debate at this stage was quite heated. The answers given later by Wooldridge in the House gave rise to sustained questing and claims of misleading parliament. Essentially the opposition was trying to establish what the Minister and his departmental officers knew when they were addressing the senate estimates review committees on this issue in February 1999 |
| Oct. 19 1999 | Senate 9924 | Move to take note of answer to a question. Debate follows. | URL | debate recounts ALP view of the Minister's handling of the case |
| Oct. 19 1999 | Senate 9926 | The opposition question in part inferred that the Minister
personally advised Radiologists to buy scanners before the budget.
The answer defended the Minister's personal position denying the claim, and mentions the new regulations that removed eligibility for rebate from sites under contract after Feb 1998 |
URL | Difficult to see why this claim was made. It does give an indication of the level of agitation entering debate on the issue. |
| Oct. 19 1999 | Senate 9927 | Sen. Foreshaw "It is becoming clear there was inside knowledge" (of the budget decision to restrict access). Call for Royal Commission or resignation of the Health Minister. | URL | . |
| Oct. 19 1999 | Senate 9929 | TCHEN debate | URL | Nothing of note except bilateral confusion |
| Oct. 19 1999 | Senate 9929 | Debate from above briefly summarizing events | URL | Says AHTAC (97) called inceased acces to MRI in the rural areas |
| Oct. 19 1999 | Press release | Howard (Prime Minister)Interview transcript
Mr Howard gives his full support of Wooldridge |
URL | Comments on the defeat of Jeff Kennett in Victoria |
| Oct. 19 1999 | Press release | Beazley (leader of Opposition) Interview transcript
Mr Beazley repeats calls for a Royal Commission and teh assertion that something has gone wrong. |
URL | . |
| Oct. 20 1999 | House 1021 | 1. Macklin moves for Wooldridge's letter to the
Auditor General regarding Probity enquiry to be tabled.
2. Call for the investigation to include powers to summons people against their will, obtain documents, require answers under oath, allow cross examination and investigate the action of the Minister and his staff, as well as other Ministers and staff 3. If not then call for a Royal Commission |
URL | Procedural entry. Motions defeated without debate |
| Oct. 20 1999 | House 1028 | Procedural note listing questions to be asked and documents
to be tabled by Dr Wooldridge (1,2) and Ms Macklin (3),Wooldridge
(1)
Wooldridge announces the chair of the 1999 MRI Review committee (Prof J. Blanford) |
URL | 1. Letter to Auditor general requesting probity
enquiry. Apparently includes the assertion that While the negotiations
were of a confidential nature, it was recognized that formal confidentiality
agreements for the college's negotiators would be inappropriate because
of their need to consult the college membership more widely on aspects
of the agreement. quoted in Macklin
MOPI 20/20/99
2. Update of HIC investigations, J.Harmer 3. RANZCR Executive Council Minutes 12 April 1999 quoted in Macklin MOPI 20/20/99 |
| Oct. 20 1999 | House 11923 | Cursory reference to poor accounting practices of Howard government, citing MRI as an example | URL | . |
| Oct 20 1999 | House 11979 | Q. If 16 of the 29 contracts were possibly backdated
or conditional, what is the problem with the other 13 ?
A. Not enough evidence to warrant examination by the DPP |
URL | . |
| Oct 20 1999 | House 11981 | If backdated and non binding contracts account for the majority of cases under investigation Prior statement by Wooldridge), What accounts for the rest, could they represent cases of inside knowledge A. Wooldridge The HIC says there is no evidence of inside knowledge, the majority of contracts don't currently show enough evidence to warrant referral to the DPP | URL | . |
| Oct 20 1999 | House 11983 | Question regarding a meeting between Minister ,and the
RACR, suggesting that Wooldridge sided with the RACR against the technical
advise of his officers .
A The minister chose a policy in line with the advise of the AHTAC |
URL | The relationship between the recommendations of the AHTAC
report and the policy announced on budget night 1988 deserves considered
debate. The implemented policy certainly reflects some of the AHTAC
data and the omission of serious consideration of the needs for paediatric
MRI services, but it owes more to the concerns of private MRI operators
intent on servicing the common complaints rather than applying MRI to medical
conditions where it fills a unique or developing role in clinical
practice.
The AHTAC report went largely without public mention until the budget night. |
| Oct. 20 1999 | House 11986 | Call of MOPI by Macklin.
The failure of the Minister for Health and Aged Care to follow prudent policy advice and correct procedure in making the 1998 Budget decision to extend Medicare rebates to Magnetic Resonance Imaging services |
URL | debate follows |
| Oct. 20 1999 | House 11986 | MOPI Debate
Macklin Assserts that the AHTAC reccomendation have been essentially ignored by the 98 decision and its administration. Macklin asserts there was need for bettter access but no need for more machines. Points out the lack of geographical control measures to support AHTAC recomendations. Macklin asserts that the RACR effectively determined MRI funding policy as it didn't like the AHTAC approach and didn't like the HIC primary option. |
URL | The Dept. probably thought it was implementing a policy
that would result in only a few more machines.
macklin quotes from Minutes of the RACR April 21 1998 |
| Oct 20 1999 | House 11989 | MOPI M. Wooldridge Comments that while a Minister
cannot be compelled to cooperate with the AG report he is willing to do
so.
Dr Wooldridge presented letters regarding people mentionned on October 19th who were alleged and to have organized campaign functions and donations. |
URL | . |
| Oct. 20 1999 | House 11992 | MOPI Medicare Rebate for MRI Debate ALP | URL | . |
| Oct. 20 1999 | House | MOPI : MRI, Medicare Rebates
R.Cameron speaks on Diagnostic Imaging service delivery and attempts to outline the Health Minister's action on the AHTAC report |
missing URL | . |
| Oct. 20 1999 | House 12046 | Adjournment debate Macklin.
Assertion that Wooldridge misled parliament over the powers on the Auditor General's Probity enquiry. Wooldridge stated it would be held under section 20, which allows for lesser powers to collect information and no power to compel witnesses to appear of reply truthfully. |
URL | First use of the term " Scan Scam"
by
rephrasing an earlier comment of Minister Wooldridge's.
As it turns out, the Auditor General had raised the issue with the minister and Section 18 powers were conferred |
| Oct. 20 1999 | Senate Notice Paper | Notice that Senator Evans will seek to obtain an order for documents to be produced relating to the questions on notice since Sept. 29 1999 | URL | The order was obtained see link |
| Oct. 20 1999 | Senate 10038 | Q. Evans Why did Minister wait 18 months to act
to close off applications for new scanners ?
A. Herron. the minister acted appropriately |
URL | Political debate |
| Oct. 20 1999 | Senate 10040 | Q. Follow up on previous question about the role of certain people possibly connected to MRI performing fund-raising for the Health Minister | URL | A bit of a furfie |
| Oct. 20 1999 | Senate 10041 | Q: Was the MRI arrangement one side of an agreement between
Radiologists and Govt. ?
Did that imply that the RANZCR were aware at that stage there would be funding for extra MRI ? |
URL missing | MRI identified as 4% of cost of Medical Imaging
Mention of Supply side measures and the Medicare capping agreement with the RANZCR. Claim that MRI was slow in coming to Australia Comment |
| Oct. 20 19 99 | Senate 1967 | Senate Order that Sen Herron produces by Nov. 22 1999 specific documents that would answer the questions on notice since Sept. 29, | URL | Specifically, dates all MRI purchase contracts signed, minutes of meetings on MRI funding, advise given the Health Minister by his department. |
| Oct. 20 1999 | Press release | Beazley. Transcript of "doorstop" interview
Mr Beazley's remarks stress the point that the government denied there was a problem on many oocaisions since it was raised by the opposition in February 98 |
URL | . |
| Oct. 20 1999 | Press Release | Wooldridge "Labor Claims Rubbish"Dr Wooldridge refuted teh claims made by Ms Macklin, that he deliberately tried to restrict the powers of the Auditor General's investigation into the MRI policy decision. | URL | . |
| Oct. 20 1999 | Press Release | Macklin. "Wooldridge misleads on Auditor-General
inquiry"
Elaborates on eth issue of Section 18 or 20 powers. |
URL | . |
| Date | Chamber Page No | Issue | URL | Comment | |
| Oct 21 1999 | House 1052 | Procedural Record of the debate to censure Wooldridge.
Includes the presentation of papers and resuls of vote
Motion defeated. |
URL | Memo from Sectretary of Dept of Health & Aged Care to Minister regarding eligibility of machines | |
| Oct. 21 1999 | House 12156 | Macklin How many RACR executives & MRI task
Force members did not have MRI scanners at the beginning of the budget
process ?
Wooldridge I don't know |
URL | Wooldridge said " Radiologists are not at the top of my Christmas card list at the moment, but they are entitled to a presumption of innocence until proven guilty. | |
| Oct. 21 1999 | House 12157 | Macklin asks Wooldridge why he won't answer a question in the House regarding members of the College of Radiologists' negotiating group applying to be eligible providers for MRI machines under contracts dated between 10 February 1998 and 12 May 1998, , when the HIC has provided a written answer to the question in Senate estimates committee saying 4 members of eth RACR group had purchased scanners in that period. | URL | The inference is that the minister is covering the facts. Dr Wooldridge responded by saying that he doesn't seek to influence the HIC, and didn't know that they had identified 4 purchases | |
| Oct. 21 1999 | House 12159 | Q.Beazley Does the facts that 4 members
of the RACR MRI negotiating group applied to be eligible MRI providers
on scanners ordered Feb10-May12 1998, prove their was a leak or lack of
safeguards ?
A. Wooldridge No |
URL | Wooldridge states: "if people in the negotiating team
tried to benefit, they were foolish."
Nuclear Medicine increases 19% p.a. 1990-96 Radiology increased 10% p.a. 1990-96 CT scanning increased 16% p.a. 1990-96 Feb. 10 1998 identified as the start of ERC sanctioned discussions with RACR, an informal meeting was held in December 97 |
|
| Oct. 21 1999 | House 12162 | Opposition leader calls for the Prime Minister to sack the Health Minister. The PM declines. | URL | . | |
| Oct. 21 199 | House 12162 | Beazley Censure Motion and debate | URL | Interesting a & entertaining reading | |
| Oct. 21 1999 | House 12169 | Macklin debate in Censure Motion. Recounts the advice of AHTAC, and contrasts this with the decisions of the Minister, asserting the Minister didn't follow AHTAC advice because the RACR didn't like it. | URL | Identifies 111 machines installed (twice the AHTAC reccomendation)
Many points raised in this speach were confirmed in the AG report. |
|
| Oct. 21 1999 | Senate 10181 | Question criticizing current policy for not addressing
the concentration of MRI scanners in cities.
Are only 3 of the new scanners going to rural areas ? What happened to funds promised to assist in scanned relocation ? |
URL | MRI identified as 4% of the Diagnostic Imaging budget. | |
| Oct. 21 1999 | Senate | Order for production of documents relating to MRI funding investigations. | URL | Documents required contain some MRI purchase details for contracts under investigation | |
| Oct. 21 1999 | Senate 10179 | Q. Foreshaw to Herron | URL | minimal interest. The question uses Senate Estimates committee quotes to ask if the Minister or teh Department officials suggested Statutory Declarations as the means of assuring machines were eligible. | |
| Oct. 21 1999 | Senate 10193 | Follow up to question re funding raised by Senator Elliston on Oct 20th | URL | Sen reads a letter from Wooldridge refuting implications of improprietry made against members of the public (?) on Oct 19th | |
| Oct. 21 1999 | Senate | Customs Bill 1999. Second reading. Kerr (ALP) points out an "error" set to cost $450m in 4 years. He observes that this "dwarfs the MRI scam" | URL | An interesting observation that brings some global budgetary perspective to the MRI scam issue, but not one the government would be happy to note. | |
| Oct. 21 1999 | Press Release | Wooldridge "ALP Continues with Baseless Accusations" | URL | Wooldridge denies rejecting the advise of his departmental officers on MRI | |
| Oct. 25 1999 | Senate | Senate procedure information bulletin No 137 | URL | Cites MRI debate as 3rd most intense area of debate for the week | |
| Nov 22 1999 | Senate Notice Paper 83 | Questions on Notice regarding MRI purchases for practices associated with members of the RACR MRI working group | URL | These questions were initioally asked on September 29th. They appear in Senate Notice paper 74 (30/9 /99) and remain open until some were answered evasively on December 6th 1999. See also Senate Report Dec 31 1999 | |
| Nov 23 1999 | Senate 10393 | Senator Herron is asked why he has failed to produce the documents required by Senate Order of October 21st 1999 | URL | Herron replies that there is an enquiry underway and that it would be improper to table documents on the matter under enquiry. | |
| Nov 24th 1999 | Senate 10570 | Sen Herron reports an answer to the question on notice regarding MRI rebate applications by the North Shore Diagnostic Centre | URL | The first evasive answer by Wooldridge to the Senate Question 1641 | |
| Nov 25th 1999 | Senate 10641 | Notice of a motion to dissallow the regulations that created the Oct 11th 1999 cutoff for medical practitioners to complete a statutory declaration to ensure that any diagnostic imaging services that they provide on Magnetic Resonance Imaging Equipment will be eligible for Medicare benefits. | URL | Sen Coonan (Lib) was concerned that the deadline expired 20 days before the regulations were made, and there is no information that there was prior notification to practitioners. | |
| Nov 29 1999 | Senate 10907 | Senator Herron asked if he will provide the papers as ordered by the Senate , now that the Clerk of the Senate has rejected his reason for withholding them. Herron refuses. | URL | . | |
| Nov 30 1999 | Senate 10914 | Sen Herron reports and tables a letter to the Clerk of the Senate regarding Minister Wooldridges consideration that there are "issues of public interest immunity in relation to the release of particular papers" relating to a complete answer to Senate Question 1641and hte Senate Order made on Oct 20th | URL | The Clerk rejects the issues of concern, but the Senate does not receive the required answers or papers | |
| Nov 30th 1999 | Senate 11033 | Further questions regarding the Clerk of the Senate's conclusion that there is no valid public interest immunity issue for not producing the required documents. Sen Herron comments that the minister has nothing to add to previous answers. Minor debate follows | URL | Confirmation that 17 cases have been sent to the DPP | |
| Nov 30 1999 | Senate 11045 | Sen Faulkner opens a debate on the secrecy of the Howard Government, citing the refusal to disclose information to the parliament on the MRI budget decision as a prime example. | URL | Wooldridges reasons for witholding are summarised by the opinion that releasing the requested information "because disclosure of MRI details prejudices the government's relationship with the profession, disclosure could be misleading as to the reasons for the decisions taken, and the information includes information about the affairs of radiologists and the college" See Senate Report Dec 31 | |
| Nov 30 1999 | Senate 11046 | Continuing debate on the Data Warehouse and commenst regarding secrecy over MRI | URL | . | |
| Nov 30 1999 | Senate 11047 | Discussion of Govt refusal to produce documents or provide information regarding MRI purchases | URL | . | |
| Nov 30th 1999 | Senate 11048 | Continuing debate on the Data Warehouse and commenst regarding secrecy over MRI | URL | Says that Wooldridge has been "open" in dealing with the MRI issue. | |
| Nov 30th 1999 | Senate 11050 | Continuing debate on the Data Warehouse and commenst regarding secrecy over MRI | URL | Little to do with MRI | |
| Nov 30 1999 | Senate 11133 | Answer to the Question on notice regarding MRI rebate applications for one machine by North Shore Diagnostic Centre. This answer is a repeat of that given on Nov 29 Senate 10570 | URL | North Shore Diagnostic Centre has not applied for Medicare rebates as these aplications are made by providers (reporting radiologists) not by a practice. A correct yet evasive answer | |
| December 1st 1999 | See Senate Estimates Committe DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND AGED CARE: Outcome 2--Access to Medicare Detailed Below | Link | |||
| December 1st 1999 | Press Release Macklin | Health Department had early warning of scan scam | URL | Reports that the Opposition tabled letters in the the
Estimaes committe from aradiologist in October 98 warning of insider knowledge,
and that there were documentary warnings as far back as August 98.
Reports 17 cases referred to DPP.
The radiologist is named in the estimates committee transcript page 59 |
|
| December 6th 1999 | Senate 11272 | Answer to the Question on notice regarding MRI rebate applications for two sites by Pittwater Radiology | URL | Pittwater had not applied for rebates as these aplications are made by providers (reporting radiologists) not by a practice. A correct yet evasive answer. | |
| December 6th 1999 | Senate 11272 | Answer to the Question on notice regarding MRI rebate applications for one site by Radclin Radiology | URL | Radclin had not applied for rebates as these aplications are made by providers (reporting radiologists) not by a practice. A correct yet evasive answer. | |
| December 6th 1999 | Senate 11273 | Answer to the Question on notice regarding MRI rebate applications for two sites by Victoria Imaging Group (VIG) | URL | VIG had not applied for rebates as these aplications are made by providers (reporting radiologists) not by a practice. A correct yet evasive answer. | |
| December 6th 1999 | Senate 11273 | Answer to the Question on notice regarding MRI rebate applications for one site by Kos, Ingle & Gordon | URL | Koss,Ingle & Gordon had not applied for rebates as these aplications are made by providers (reporting radiologists) not by a practice. A correct yet evasive answer. | |
| December 6th 1999 | Senate 11273 | Answer to the Question on notice regarding MRI rebate applications for one site by Geelong Radiological Clinic | URL | Geelong Radiological Clinic had not applied for rebates as these aplications are made by providers (reporting radiologists) not by a practice. A correct yet evasive answer. | |
| December 6th 1999 | Senate 11273 | Answer to the Question on notice regarding MRI rebate applications for one site by Perth Imaging Centre | URL | Perth Imaging Centre had not applied for rebates as these aplications are made by providers (reporting radiologists) not by a practice. A correct yet evasive answer. | |
| December 6th 1999 | Senate 11274 | Answer to the Question on notice regarding MRI rebate applications for one site by Perth Radiological Clinic | URL | Perth Radiological Clinic had not applied for rebates as these aplications are made by providers (reporting radiologists) not by a practice. A correct yet evasive answer. | |
| December 6th 1999 | Senate 11274 | Answer to the Question on notice regarding MRI rebate applications for four sites by Queensland X-Ray Service | URL | Queensland Xray Services had not applied for rebates as these aplications are made by providers (reporting radiologists) not by a practice. A correct yet evasive answer. | |
| December 8th 1999 | House 13085 | Macklin asks Wooldridge why in Feb 99 he told teh house the allegations were anonymous and unsubstantiated when his department had on hand a letter from a specific radiologist (named) dated Oct 1998. Wooldridge said he was correct in February as he was talking about other allegations and letters received in December 98 | URL | . | |
| December 8th 1999 | House 13086 | Macklin asks Wooldridge if after several months he has determined if at least 4 machines were ordered by members of the RACR Task Force, and if the chairman of the task force ordered four scanners? | URL | Wooldridge says he doesn't have detailed information and that those concerned deserve to be considered innocent till proven guilty ( adding that such a purchase would have been " incredibly foolish" ) | |
| December 8th 1999 | House 13146 | Wooldridge makes a clarrifying statement regarding earlier
answers in question time
"some representations have been made to my office on this matter. One includes a representation from Dr Dubois's solicitors. These representations were not drawn to my attention, because it was believed it would be quite improper for me, as minister, to get actively involved in any Health Insurance Commission investigation." |
URL | . | |
| December 9th 1999 | Senate 11574 | Debate on the new Tax System. Opposition comments | URL | Includes a side reference to the MRI scam as one example of "incompetence on issues of major public policy" | |
| December 9th 1999 | House 13281 | Macklin asks why Wooldridge how long his office has retained significant evidence, and was this material provided to the Auditor General. Wooldridge says the AG can have anything he wants, and that everything relevant has been passed on to appropriate departments. | URL | . | |
| December 9th 1999 | House 13283 | Macklin asks why Wooldridge still regards the letters as unsubstantiated rumours. Wooldridge says they contain no specific facts, just allegations. | URL | AS an example Wooldridge quotes one unspecified letter as saying "We are concerned that some or all of these contracts may not be genuine, but of course we have no tangible evidence." | |
| December 9th 1999 | House 13284 | Beazley asks Wooldridge if he created the trigger for the scan scam by not insisting the radiologists involved in pre budget negotiations maintain confidentiality. Wooldridge responded that he did not need to as he had permission to negotiate with them. ?? | URL | The Auditor General report also critisizes the lack of any measure to ensure confidentiality. | |
| December 9th 1999 | House 13284 | Attempt to censure the Health Minister (Wooldridge) | URL | motion defeated before debate | |
| December 8th 1999 | House 1162 | Formal record of censure motion and votes | URL | . | |
| December 13 1999 | Senate Procedural Bulletin 138 | The refusal to produce documents when ordered is summarised. | URL | The bulleting appears satisfied with the answers provided around December 6th | |
| December 24th 1999 | Press release
Macklin |
"How Dr. Wooldridge has changed his tune" | URL | Critical of Wooldridge for avoiding the issue for 10 months, then recognising this matter is poosibly the largest case of Medicare fraud. | |
| December 31 1999 | Senate Practice Report Chapter 18 | A summary of the business of the Senate Session particularloy relating to the presentation of documents The principal grounds were risk of prejudice to administrative inquiries and the confidentiality of the governments relationship with the medical profession. | URL | Advices from the Clerk of the Senate suggested that these grounds were novel and lacking in cogency. The matter was extensively explored at an estimates hearing, and the advices were released. (21/10/1999, J.1967; 29/11/1999, J.2123; Community Affairs Legislation Committee, estimates Hansard, 1/12/1999, pp 51-3) | |
| December 31 1999 | Senate Practice Report Chapter 18 | The government's refusal to submit ordered documents to the Senate is further mentioned | URL | . |
| Page | Issue | URL | Comment |
| Page 43 | 1 case referred to DPP 12 pending referral. Dr Waltzaff says he was surprised by eth number of scanners notified tothe HIC 18 months after the initial budget cut off date (May 12 1998). Sen Evans leads a discussion that tries to find a reasonable explanation why a machine ordered over 18 months earlier would have been such a secret for so long. The comments also point out that dealing with eth rush of orders has overshadowed teh basis for the decision to support more machines, i.e. the need identified by the AHTAP report, to expand the geographioacl distribution of MRI services. | URL | . |
| Page 45 | Discussion of the diffference between the number of scanners installed and the reportable claims by providers to claim Medicare rebates using those machines. The HIC makes it clear that it has no information on the number of scans provided in the private sector before the 1998 budget change, apart from the 1997 AHTAC report. Senator Evans observes that he asked about practices rather than individual radiologists as he "got the College of Radiologists a bit upset every time I named a particular radiologist I thought I was safer sticking to the practices. I have already had one privileges complaint about my questions" | URL | |
| Page 47 | Mr Podger is questioned by Sen Evans on his unhelpful response to the questions made in the senate regarding applications made for MRI rebates by certain radiology practices. See answers as they were formally given in the Senate on December 6th. The discussion cl;arifies the situation where one machine will be matched by applications from many radiologists, and one radiologist will make multiple applications with regard to providing MRI services on several machines. | URL | |
| Page 59 | Discussion of why the HIC commenced investigations into alegations of fraudulent behaviour. Names the radilogist who wrote one of the letters. | URL | |
| Page 61 | |||
| Page 63 | URL | ||
| Page 71 | Identifies $23,000,000 paid for MRI service July to October 1999 against full year budget of $57M. The removal of eligibility for machines purchased after Feb 10th 1998 and before May 12, means the total expenditure should remain near the target of the DIA. Answers indicate that 4 members of eth RANZCR negotiating team have applied to become MR eligible providers on at least one machine on applications up to June. Further questioning failed to get more information. | URL | |
| Page 79 | URL | ||
| Page 81 | URL |
| Date | Chamber/Page | Issue | URL | Comment |
| Feb 15 2000 | House | Notice Paper | URL | Question asking if Medicare savings will be used to fund further MRI services. Appears in Notice papers until April 10 |
| Feb 21 2000 | Senate | Procedural Bulletin 139
reports response to the order to produce documents |
URL | |
| April 14 2000 | Senate | Procedural Bulletin 141
reports response to the order to produce documents |
URL | |
| May 12 2000 | Senate | Procedural Bulletin 142
reports response to the order to produce documents |
URL | summarizes final production of the documents on May 10 |
| URL | ||||
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| June 30 2000 | Senate | Practice Report:Relations with the executive government
Government's refusal to table relevant documents |
URL | Technical report of the Senate |
| June 30 2000 | Senate | Practice Report: Documents
Government's refusal to table relevant documents |
URL | Technical report of the Senate |