Member for Wannon Dan Tehan said he was delighted that the Federal Government was making MRI scans more affordable and more accessible closer to home by investing $66 million over four years to deregulate and expand Medicare-funded MRI scans in regional areas.

Mr Tehan said he had been strongly advocating for the Medicare-funded MRI licence in this Budget and the securing of a licence would enable Western District Health Service to move forward with the delivery of a MRI scanner.

MRI services are critical for diagnosing soft-tissue illnesses and diseases, including cancer. This change will begin on Tuesday, November 1 this year and will benefit Modified Monash Model 2-7 areas, which includes Hamilton.

Mr Tehan said improving access to critical diagnostic imaging services for more regional Australians was a significant step towards addressing the health care disparity with the cities.

"This change means rural and remote patients will benefit from reduced out-of-pocket costs for MRI scans, accessing world-class services closer to home," he said.

"Improving access to MRI through this deregulation measure will reduce pressure on out-of-pocket costs for patients across the Hamilton region, and the need to travel to access these services."

The addition of a Medicare funded MRI licence will help improve access and the level of services provided locally, he said.

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