Human Services

Australian Organ Donor Initiative

Expense ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Health Insurance Commission	3.1	-	-	-

The Government will provide $3.9 million over two years (including $0.8 million in 2004-05) to process inquiries and registrations for the Australian Organ Donor Register arising from a joint project with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia to send every Australian household an organ donation consent form as part of a new campaign to increase organ donation rates.

This initiative follows a decision by all Australian Health Ministers to change the Australian Organ Donor Register to a register of consent, rather than intent. Under the new arrangements, clinicians will not need to seek families’ consent when a person has registered legally valid consent through the Australian Organ Donor Register. Instead, clinicians will advise families of the individual’s legally expressed wishes and ask whether the deceased person may have changed his or her mind since registering.

Further information can be found in the press release of 18 February 2005 issued by the Minister for Health and Ageing.

Electronic Commerce for Medicare Claiming — cease funding

Expense ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Health Insurance Commission	-1.2	-1.2	-1.2	-1.2

The Government will cease funding for the Electronic Commerce for Medicare Claiming programme, resulting in savings of $4.8 million over four years.

This funding was originally provided to the Health Insurance Commission to process Medicare claims on behalf of providers who do not have access to the Internet. As these costs are now minor they will be absorbed by the Health Insurance Commission.

Medicare — two new Medicare offices

Expense ($m)

	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Health Insurance Commission	0.5	1.0	1.0	1.0
Related capital ($m)
Health Insurance Commission	0.5	-	-	-

The Government will provide $3.9 million over four years, including $0.5 million in capital funding, to open two new Medicare offices in Wynnum (Qld) and Tuncurry (NSW). It is anticipated that the offices will open early in 2006.

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