Health Insurance Commission Act

The Health Insurance Commission Act of 1973 helped enact universal health care in Australia.

The Health Insurance Commission Act of 1973 began the era of universal health care in Australia. Specifically, the act created a commission to oversee the Australian version of Medicare, a health-entitlement program designed to cover basic health services for Australians.

Purpose

The Health Insurance Commission Act laid the administrative groundwork for the program that would eventually become Medicare Australia. Originally passed as No. 41, 1974, and amended many times over the years, the law spelled out the powers of the health insurance commissioner, giving the office broad authority for the planning and establishment of the Australian health care system that eventually became Medicare.

Effects

The original law contained 43 sections detailing the duties and responsibilities of the health insurance commission, including its obligation to submit annual reports to the prime minister. However, the act grew to detail the Australian Universal Health Care system.

Legacy

The Act ultimately led to the broad Australian universal health care system of Medicaid, which covers more than 21 million people today, according to Medicaid's own figures. The Australian Medicaid system employs more than 6,000 workers and pays out more than AU$14 billion in Medicaid benefits each year, plus another AU$7.2 billion in pharmaceutical benefits.

References

• Commonwealth of Australia Law: Health Insurance Commission Act of 1973
• Medicare Australia: Facts and Figures

Resources

• Medicare Australia