Can the Commonwealth and State Governments impose medical service or do they simply have the power to regulate medical service?
The regulation of the health system
The regulatory mechanisms operating in the Australian health system are a reflection of its overall complexity. State and Territory governments are responsible for licensing or registering private hospitals (including free-standing day hospital facilities), medical practitioners and other health professionals. Each State and Territory has legislation relevant to the operation of public hospitals. The Commonwealth Government’s regulatory roles include overseeing the safety and quality of pharmaceutical and therapeutic goods and appliances, managing international quarantine arrangements, ensuring an adequate and safe supply of blood products, and regulating the private health insurance industry.
81 pages.