An attack on public health funding will cost the coalition at the polls, particularly in Tasmania, independent MP Andrew Wilkie says.
While the Hobart-based politician refused to label health as the number one issue in the upcoming election, he said it is a priority among voters.
"For a long time the public health system in Australia has been the envy of just about every other country in the world," Mr Wilkie told reporters on Wednesday.
"It's fair enough that this will be a red-hot election issue and voters will be judging candidates and parties very much on this issue."
Flanked by two pathology experts in Hobart, Mr Wilkie outlined the impact of proposed cuts to the sector.
The government wants to scrap bulk-billing incentive payments for pathology services (worth between $1.40 and $3.40) which, along with changes to bulk-billing incentives for diagnostic imaging, would save $650 million over four years.
Pathologists say they would be forced to pass on the cost to patients, with tests including pap smears carrying a fee of about $30.
"This is in my opinion further evidence of the systemic attack by the Abbott and Turnbull governments on public health care nationally," Mr Wilkie said.
"And an attack that will have a disproportionate effect in Tasmania: we are a sicker population, we have lower incomes."
He cited other measures including changes to Medicare rebates for GPs, dentists and optometrists.
"We are one of the richest countries in the world: the annual federal budget is in the order of $400,000 million.
"With good politicians making the right decisions and with the right priorities, surely that sort of money ensures we will continue to have the world's best public health system."
Federal health minister Sussan Ley has championed changes to the nation's multi-billion-dollar pathology sector and said in many cases a co-payment cannot be justified.
