Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 1212

❓ Hon Anthony Spagnolo asks about the lack of a Medicare exemption for radiation oncology services in Midland, WA, and the government's response indicates there's no established mechanism for requesting such exemptions outside a specific COAG initiative.

AnsweredQoN 1212Legislative Council

Asked

24 February 2026

Member

Hon Anthony Spagnolo

Portfolio

Health; Mental Health

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to section 19(2) of the Health Insurance Act 1973, which prevents Medicare benefits being claimed for services delivered by, or on behalf of, Government unless an exemption is granted: (a) has the State Government, any public provider, or any private operator sought a section 19(2) exemption for a radiation oncology service in Midland; (b) if yes: (i) when was the most recent request made; (ii) what was the outcome; and (iii) if rejected or not progressed, what reasons were provided; and (c) if no exemption has been sought, why has this option not been pursued given the absence of a Medicare-eligible radiation oncology service in the Midland region?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

14 April 2026

Responded by

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health; Mental Health

Response time

8 days

(1) – (3) Currently there is no formal or established mechanism for governments or private providers to request an exemption from the requirements of Section 19(2) of the Health Insurance Act 1973, with the exception of the ‘ COAG Section 19(2) Exemptions Initiative – Improving Access to Primary Care in Rural and Remote Areas’ . Exemptions outside of this initiative have historically been initiated by the Commonwealth and granted in unique circumstances.

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