Statutory Rules
1975 No. 100
REGULATION UNDER THE NATIONAL HEALTH ACT 1953-1975.*
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL of Australia, acting with the advice of the Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulation under the National Health Act 1953-1975.
Dated this twenty-ninth day of May, 1975.
JOHN R. KERR
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
W. G. HAYDEN
Minister of State for Social Security.
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 figures “ $76.50 ” and substituting the figures “ $80.50 ”;
(b) by omitting from sub-regulation (2) the figures “ $82.50 ” and substituting the figures “ $86.50 ”;
(c) by omitting from sub-regulation (3) the figures “ $88.50 ” and substituting the figures “ $92.50 ”;
(d) by omitting from sub-regulation (4) the figures “ $3,978.00 ” and substituting the figures “ $4,186.00 ”;
(e) by omitting from sub-regulation (5) the figures “ $4,290.00 ” and substituting the figures “ $4,498.00 ”; and
(f) by omitting from sub-regulation (6) the figures “ $4,602.00 ” and substituting the figures “ $4,810.00 ”.
* Notified in the Australian Government Gazette on 30 May 1975
† 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; 1971, Nos. 28, 76, 103 and 138; 1972, No. 79; 1973, Nos. 17, 75, 111, 221 and 267; 1967; 1974, Nos. 52, 104, 106 113 and 263; and 1975, Nos. 14, 49 and 66.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1975 No. 100, enacted under the National Health Act 1953-1975, aims to address the need for periodic adjustments to prescribed amounts for various health-related services, ensuring that these amounts reflect current economic conditions and service costs. This regulation, made by the Governor-General of Australia with the advice of the Executive Council, is an instrument designed to maintain the relevance and fairness of financial provisions within the health sector. The underlying policy objective is to support the effective administration of health services by ensuring that financial parameters are up-to-date and adequate. The regulation specifically amends Regulation 20c of the National Health Regulations to update the prescribed amounts for certain services, reflecting a commitment to adapting to economic changes and maintaining the integrity of health service funding.
Scope and Application
The Statutory Rules 1975 No. 100, made under the National Health Act 1953-1975, focus on amending the National Health Regulations by adjusting the prescribed amounts listed in Regulation 20c. These amendments concern the specified financial figures related to certain health provisions, indicating the Commonwealth's role in regulating and updating health-related financial benchmarks within Australia. The amendments reflect a direct intervention in the financial aspects of health services, thereby affecting entities such as hospitals, healthcare providers, and possibly patients who may be impacted by the altered cost structures. This regulation applies across Australia, encompassing all states and territories, ensuring uniformity in the implementation of health-related financial standards. There are no explicit exclusions or exemptions mentioned within the regulation itself, suggesting that the changes apply broadly to all relevant parties within the health sector. The regulation does not indicate any extension or restriction of its application through subordinate instruments, maintaining its scope strictly within the bounds set by the National Health Act.
Key Provisions
The regulation under the National Health Act 1953-1975 primarily focuses on the amendment of prescribed amounts for specific purposes under section 82u (20c). This amendment involves updating the figures associated with certain health-related costs. Specifically, Regulation 20c is amended to replace the existing figures with updated ones. For example, under sub-regulation (1), the figure “$76.50” is replaced with “$80.50”. Similarly, sub-regulation (2) sees the replacement of “$82.50” with “$86.50”, and this pattern continues through to sub-regulation (6), where “$4,602.00” is replaced with “$4,810.00”. These amendments are intended to reflect current financial standards and requirements as stipulated by the National Health Act.
The obligations imposed by these regulations primarily concern entities and individuals involved in health services that are governed by the National Health Act. They must ensure that the updated figures are applied correctly in their billing and record-keeping practices. This includes healthcare providers, insurance companies, and possibly patients, who may need to be informed of these changes to ensure compliance with the new financial standards. Accurate and updated records must be maintained to reflect these new amounts, which may affect reimbursements, billing, and other financial transactions related to health services.
Failure to comply with these updated regulations can lead to various consequences, both civil and potentially criminal, depending on the severity and intent of the breach. Civil consequences might include fines or penalties imposed by the relevant health authorities. In more severe cases, breaches could be considered criminal offences, leading to prosecution. The maximum penalties for such offences are not explicitly stated in the provided text, but they would typically be outlined in the relevant sections of the National Health Act or other related legislation. It is essential for all parties governed by these regulations to adhere to the updated financial standards to avoid any legal repercussions.