STATUTORY RULES
1972 No.
REGULATION UNDER THE NATIONAL HEALTH ACT 1953-1971.*
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulation under the National Health Act 1953-1971.
Dated this second day of June, 1972.
Paul Hasluck
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
Sgd. A.J. Forbes
Minister of State for Immigration
for and on behalf of Minister of State for Health
Amendments of the National Health Regulations†
Prescribed amounts for the purposes of section 82u.
Regulation 20c of the National Health Regulations is amended—
(a) by omitting from sub-regulation (1.) the words “Forty-six dollars fifty cents” and inserting in their stead the words “Fifty-one dollars fifty cents”;
(b) by omitting from sub-regulation (2.) the words “Forty-nine dollars fifty cents” and inserting in their stead the words “Fifty-four dollars fifty cents”;
(c) by omitting from sub-regulation (3.) the words “Fifty-two dollars fifty cents” and inserting in their stead the words “Fifty-seven dollars fifty cents”;
(d) by omitting from sub-regulation (4.) the words “Two thousand four hundred and eighteen dollars” and inserting in their stead the words “Two thousand six hundred and seventy-eight dollars”;
(e) by omitting from sub-regulation (5.) the words “Two thousand five hundred and seventy-four dollars ” and inserting in their stead the words “Two thousand eight hundred and thirty-four dollars”; and
(f) by omitting from sub-regulation (6.) the words “Two thousand seven hundred and thirty dollars” and inserting in their stead the words “Two thousand nine hundred and ninety dollars”.
* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 1972.
† Statutory Rules 1954, No. 35 as amended by Statutory Rules 1957, No. 71; 1958, No. 63, 1962, Nos. 55, 70 and 113; 1965. Nos. 17, 94 and 185; 1966, No. 99; 1967, No. 86; 1969, Nos. 91 and 220; 1970, Nos. 70 and 166; and 1971, Nos. 28, 76, 103 and 138.
Printed by Authority by the Government Printer of the Commonwealth of Australia
15237/72—Price 5c 9/19.5.1972
Overview
The National Health Act 1953-1971, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serves to regulate matters relating to national health policy, including the provision of health services and the administration of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. This legislative instrument, Statutory Rules 1972 No. 168, amends the National Health Regulations to adjust the prescribed amounts for specific services under section 82u of the Act. The policy objective of these amendments is to ensure that the financial provisions within the National Health Regulations are updated to reflect current economic conditions, thereby maintaining the effectiveness and accessibility of health services funded under the Act. This legislative action demonstrates the Parliament’s commitment to addressing the evolving needs of the Australian healthcare system.
Scope and Application
The Statutory Rules 1972 No. REGULATION UNDER THE NATIONAL HEALTH ACT 1953-1971 amends the National Health Regulations to adjust prescribed amounts for certain fees and charges. This legislative instrument applies to all persons and entities subject to the National Health Act 1953-1971, which includes health service providers, patients, and other stakeholders within the healthcare system across the Commonwealth of Australia. The adjustments are made to specific sub-regulations under Regulation 20c, affecting the fees associated with medical services and healthcare-related transactions. This amendment extends the application of the National Health Act by updating the financial parameters within the regulatory framework, ensuring that the prescribed amounts are reflective of current economic conditions. The changes are made through subordinate instruments, which allow for the updating of fees without the need for a full legislative overhaul.
Key Provisions
The Statutory Rules 1972 No. REGULATION UNDER THE NATIONAL HEALTH ACT 1953-1971, specifically amend Regulation 20c of the National Health Regulations. These amendments involve the alteration of prescribed amounts for certain services provided under section 82u of the National Health Act. For instance, the amount listed in sub-regulation (1) has been changed from Forty-six dollars fifty cents to Fifty-one dollars fifty cents, reflecting an updated fee structure. Similarly, other sub-regulations (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6) have had their respective amounts updated to Fifty-four dollars fifty cents, Fifty-seven dollars fifty cents, Two thousand six hundred and seventy-eight dollars, Two thousand eight hundred and thirty-four dollars, and Two thousand nine hundred and ninety dollars. These amendments aim to reflect current costs and ensure that the fees charged for health services are commensurate with the prevailing economic conditions.
The National Health Regulations, as amended, impose obligations on health service providers to adhere to the updated fee structures as stipulated in the new sub-regulations. Health service providers must ensure that they charge the revised amounts for the services listed in Regulation 20c. This requirement ensures consistency in billing practices and maintains transparency in the costs associated with health services. By updating the prescribed amounts, the regulation seeks to streamline the billing process and provide clarity for both service providers and recipients.
Failure to comply with the amended fee structures may lead to legal repercussions, although the provided text does not detail specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance. Typically, such regulatory frameworks may include provisions for penalties under the broader National Health Act or associated legislation. However, the primary focus of the amendments appears to be on updating the prescribed amounts to reflect current economic realities rather than imposing punitive measures for non-compliance. Nonetheless, adherence to these updated fees is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the health service billing system.