 It authorised federal legislation over medical and dental services (but not so as to authorise any form of civil conscription), together with family allowances, benefits to students and hospital benefits, child endowment, widows' pensions, unemployment benefits, and maternity allowances.The subsequent federal legislation in relation to pharmaceutical benefits was deemed constitutional by the High Court.This paved the way for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), an important component of Australia's modern public health system.