Providence Antitrust Action

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, please contact:
Athena Maris
athena@lloydmaris.com
503.236.3486

EPIC Imaging|East and Body Imaging Radiology Accept Providence Health Systems'
Request for Delay in Antitrust Action

Portland, OR - April 14, 2005 - In exchange for delaying their termination from Providence-controlled insurance plans, EPIC Imaging|East and Body Imaging Radiology have agreed to Providence's request for more time to prepare for a hearing in Federal Court. The agreement moves the termination date to July 1, 2005, a sixty day extension. The hearing before Judge Garr M. King is now scheduled for June 20, 2005.
 
"We are delighted that Providence has delayed the decision that will take away the choice to use our centers from such a significant number of people in the area," said Dr. Gerald L. Warnock, medical director of EPIC Imaging. "We are hopeful that the court will see fit to make the delay permanent and allow us to continue to provide physicians and patients in the Portland area with the level of care they have come to expect."
 
The Providence decision to terminate the two imaging centers is very far reaching. In addition to selling its own insurance products, Providence also controls where patients with 116 non-Providence insurance plans like Cigna and Aetna can go for care. "It's a little like the fox guarding the hen house, when you have the largest healthcare system in the area controlling the primary payors of medical bills," said Dr. Paul Meunier of Body Imaging. "The Providence delay is very welcome and we hope it will be permanent."  

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