Not only are the machines costly at the initial purchase, the helium cryogen for keeping the magnet in its superconducting temperature regime is also expensive, and has to be topped up periodically. I hope that "high-temperature" superconductors (where liquid nitrogen is sufficient) can eventually replace the conventional superconducting wire currently used in MRIs. Helium is getting rarer all the time, but liquid nitrogen is cheaper than milk.
It's also worth noting that costs are high in part due to bureaucracy and bad laws: you can't open up a dedicated imaging center if you can't get the required "certificate of need" in your area[1]. In such places, the existing hospitals can monopolize a region and prevent imaging centers from being built. More scanners could bring down costs and allow patients to be scanned sooner.
It's also worth noting that costs are high in part due to bureaucracy and bad laws: you can't open up a dedicated imaging center if you can't get the required "certificate of need" in your area[1]. In such places, the existing hospitals can monopolize a region and prevent imaging centers from being built. More scanners could bring down costs and allow patients to be scanned sooner.
[1] https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/7/31/17629526/m...