Opened the debate
Kearney moved government amendments to insert additional integrity measures into the bill, implementing findings from the Philip review into Medicare integrity. The amendments strengthened current abilities to gather data on possible fraud and breaches under the Health Insurance Act 1973. They enabled the recovery of amounts that should not have been paid, addressing limitations in current provisions that relied on outdated claiming processes. Kearney argued these changes would enhance the Department of Health and Aged Care's capacity to manage noncompliance and protect patient safety. The amendments also removed restrictions on admitting information from Professional Services Review notices as evidence in relevant proceedings, including those under the National Law.