The following is a simplified outline of this Act:
• This Act sets up:
(a) the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care; and
(b) the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority; and
(c) the office of Administrator of the National Health Funding Pool; and
(d) the National Health Funding Body.
• The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has functions relating to health care safety and quality matters.
• The main functions of the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority in relation to public hospitals and health care pricing and costing are as follows:
(a) to determine the national efficient price for health care services provided by public hospitals where the services are funded on an activity basis;
(b) to determine the efficient cost for health care services provided by public hospitals where the services are block funded;
(c) to publish this, and other information, for the purpose of informing decision makers in relation to the funding of public hospitals;
(d) if requested by the Minister or the Secretary, to advise the Commonwealth in relation to certain health care pricing and costing matters.
• The main functions of the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority in relation to aged care are as follows:
(a) to provide advice about certain aged care pricing and costing matters to each relevant Commonwealth Minister;
(b) to perform such functions as are conferred on the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority by the Aged Care Act.
• The main function of the Administrator of the National Health Funding Pool is to administer the National Health Funding Pool.
• The function of the National Health Funding Body is to assist the Administrator of the National Health Funding Pool.