Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to thank senators for their contributions to the debate on the Health Insurance Amendment (Compliance) Bill 2010. Transparency and accountability are at the core of this government’s health reforms—that is, transparency about how we spend taxpayers’ dollars and how we account for all healthcare services, whether delivered in public hospitals or in the community. This bill calls for transparency and accountability from healthcare practitioners who provide Medicare services.

This bill is a reintroduction of a largely identical bill introduced in the 42nd Parliament. This version incorporates parliamentary amendments which were agreed to or moved by the government during the parliamentary debate on the bill. On average, 20 per cent of practitioners contacted by Medicare Australia do not respond to, or refuse to cooperate with, a request to substantiate a Medicare benefit paid for a service. When this occurs, Medicare Australia does not have any authority to require a practitioner to comply with the request. This means there is no way to confirm that the Medicare benefit is correct. This means there is no way to confirm that public money is being spent appropriately.

There has been significant debate and stakeholder consultation on this bill and a full inquiry by the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee. Importantly, amendments to this current bill acknowledge the need for Medicare to take advice from Medicare professionals from within the organisation and to use the profession to assist doctors in responding to an audit. This bill does not introduce any record-keeping requirements. It will be up to the person who receives the notice to decide what documents they have available to substantiate the service. This bill is not retrospective and will apply only to Medicare services provided after the commencement of this bill.

There is no reason why the parliament should not consider the legislation, which marks a further important opportunity for greater transparency to ensure taxpayers’ money is spent appropriately on the healthcare services they expect. I acknowledge the support that this bill is attracting.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.