Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio) Senators hear that government to look at tax returns of doctors who got government health care payments.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner

(DC) Senator Finance Committee studies Medicare and Medicaid. IRS (Internal Revenue Service) to audit tax returns of doctors earning large amts. from government health programs, and to collect information from insurance companies on their payments to doctors General Accounting Office reports non-profit association doctors at Cook Cnty. Hospital in Chicago got $1.6 million from Medicare for services performed by interns. [General Accounting Office spokesperson Joseph ROTHER - cites cases where no one gave service to patients.] [Senator John WILLIAMS - asks spokesperson to describe billing without services.] [Medicare Spokesperson Thomas TIERNEY - says that sounds fraudulent.] [Senator Russell LONG - says Chicago doctors could collect $15 million year Looks like case of making extra buck at expense of taxpayers.] Senator Long says he'll produce evidence of "kickback" arrangements among doctors, nursing homes, and drug suppliers. Says he'll give American Medical Association and others chance to explain.
REPORTER: Daniel Schorr

(Studio) Robert Baker, President of Chicago Association cited, denies any misuse of Medicare. Says no physicians got money personally, and all fees used for activities of hospital.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner