AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

ISSUED BY AUTHORITY OF THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH

No. 16 of 1980

	The Minister of State for Health has made regulations under the Health Commission Ordinance 1975 which amend the Health Commission (Charges) Regulations.

	The amending Regulations provide for charges in respect of the services provided by the Commission to certain repatriation beneficiaries to be paid by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

	In addition, the amending Regulations increase charges for nursing home accommodation as a result of increases in the age pension and basic nursing home benefits in accordance with Government policy.

	Further, the amending Regulations remove the anomaly whereby compensable persons and non-eligible persons are charged at subsidised rates for nursing home type accommodation in Commission hospitals.  Rates representing modified gross operating costs for hospital accommodation are prescribed in respect of these persons.

	The definition of “standard medical benefits table” is amended to take account of amendments to the Schedule of Benefits from 1 November 1980 introduced by regulations made under the Health Insurance Act.  The opportunity has also been taken to correct a minor flaw in regulation 9.