Doctors Demand Answers On US Hospital Group – 3 April 1997

Chairman of the Australian Doctors’ Fund, Dr Bruce Shepherd has written to the Federal Minister for Health, Dr Michael Wooldridge, requesting clarification of the Government’s position on the entry into Australia of Columbia HCA Healthcare, America’s largest hospital operator.

The letter to Dr Wooldridge follows reports that Columbia HCA is subject to an investigation in the United States concerning its medicare billing practises and business methods.

Previous statements on behalf of the Government indicated a welcoming attitude to foreign operators in the private health care sector.

Dr Shepherd’s letter is attached to this media release.