Health Insurance Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 2) 1999 No. 88
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULE 1999 NO. 88
Issued by authority of the Minister for Health and Aged Care
Health Insurance Act 1973
Health Insurance Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 2)
Section 133 of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the Act) provides that the Governor-General may make regulations to prescribe matters required or permitted by the Act to be prescribed.
Part IVA of the Act provides for the establishment and maintenance of the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (the Register), and specifies the functions and powers of the Health Insurance Commission (the Commission) in relation to the Register.
Section 46B of the Act prescribes the Commission's functions in relation to the Register, including the recording in the Register of all immunisation encounters that are notified to the Commission by recognised providers or prescribed bodies.
Subsection 46E(1) of the Act provides that, for the purpose of performing its functions in relation to the Register, the Managing Director of the Commission may give information about the immunisation of children to prescribed bodies.
The purpose of the amendment to the Regulations is to update existing Schedule I A of the Regulations to include a new prescribed body to whom information in the Register may be given and to amend existing prescribed bodies to reflect their change in name.
Schedule 1 of the Regulations amends Schedule 1A of the Principal Regulations to include the Bundaberg and District Division of General Practice Association Incorporated as a prescribed body and substitutes three existing prescribed bodies to reflect their change in name.
The Regulations commenced on Gazettal.
Overview
The Health Insurance Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 2), issued under the authority of the Minister for Health and Aged Care, aim to update the existing framework governing the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register. Enacted in 1999, these Regulations address the need to modify the list of prescribed bodies that can access information from the Register, ensuring that the system remains current and reflective of changes in organisational names and structures. The policy objective behind these amendments is to facilitate the ongoing and effective management of immunisation records by incorporating new entities and updating outdated references to recognised providers or bodies. This legislative action ensures that the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register continues to operate efficiently and accurately, contributing to the overarching goal of maintaining public health through comprehensive immunisation data management.
Scope and Application
The Health Insurance Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 2) applies to the administration and maintenance of the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register, as governed by the Health Insurance Act 1973. The Act pertains to the recording of all immunisation encounters notified to the Health Insurance Commission by recognised providers or prescribed bodies, and it provides for the Commission's ability to share information with certain bodies. The regulations amend the existing Schedule 1A to incorporate the Bundaberg and District Division of General Practice Association Incorporated as a prescribed body and update the names of three other existing prescribed bodies. These regulations apply nationally across Australia and are enforceable under the Commonwealth jurisdiction. The scope of the amendment is limited to updating the prescribed bodies, ensuring that the Commission can continue to effectively manage the immunisation data and share relevant information with authorised entities. Any broader application or restrictions are addressed through subordinate instruments, which may extend or refine the application of the Act and its Regulations.
Key Provisions
The Health Insurance Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 2) (the Regulations) primarily amend Schedule 1A of the Principal Regulations to update the list of prescribed bodies that are eligible to receive information about the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (the Register). Section 46B of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the Act) identifies the Commission's functions related to the Register, which include recording all immunisation encounters notified by recognised providers or prescribed bodies. The purpose of these amendments is to include the Bundaberg and District Division of General Practice Association Incorporated as a new prescribed body and to update the names of existing prescribed bodies to reflect any changes.
The obligations imposed by the Regulations require the Health Insurance Commission (the Commission) to update its records and processes to include the new prescribed body, the Bundaberg and District Division of General Practice Association Incorporated, and to reflect the changes in the names of the existing prescribed bodies. This ensures that all entities authorised to receive information about immunisations are accurately identified and up-to-date, facilitating the effective management and maintenance of the Register.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in the Regulations may result in civil or administrative penalties, although the specific penalties are not detailed in the explanatory statement. Generally, non-compliance with health-related regulations can lead to enforcement actions, fines, or other administrative measures as deemed appropriate by the relevant authorities. The precise consequences would depend on the specific breach and the relevant legislative provisions.
In conclusion, the Health Insurance Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 2) are designed to ensure that the list of prescribed bodies authorised to receive information from the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register is current and accurate. These Regulations impose an obligation on the Commission to update its records accordingly, and while the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed, the potential consequences could include civil or administrative actions.