Some Quebec patients living east of Montreal are being directed to private clinics for ultrasounds because wait times in the public system are so long. Wait times of more than a year are being blamed in part on a shortage of radiologists at area hospitals. The use of private clinics is putting a cost burden on patients of between $75 and $250 which they would otherwise not have to carry. Some people are suggesting the government pick up the tab for patients having to use private clinics. (La Presse, July 23)