Medicare overhaul on cards: rich to pay more?

FEDERAL Health Minister Peter Dutton has flagged an overhaul of Medicare, suggesting Australians who can afford it should pay more for their healthcare.

FEDERAL Health Minister Peter Dutton has flagged an overhaul of Medicare, suggesting Australians who can afford it should pay more for their healthcare.

Mr Dutton has used a major speech to declare he wants there to be a frank, fearless and far-reaching discussion about the health system, the ABC reports.

He argued the system is unsustainable and he wants to "modernise and strengthen" Medicare.

He has told the ABC's 7.30 program there needs to be discussion around co-payments.

"...One important job of the Abbott Government is to grow the opportunity for those Australians who can afford to do so to contribute to their own healthcare costs.

Should wealthier Australian pay more for their healthcare? Let us know what you think?

 Mr Dutton's comments come amid warnings the creation of a $6 fee to visit GPs around the country could clog up emergency departments as lower income Australians sought medical help.

Such problems could be more pronounced in regional areas where medical services are fewer and further between than in major cities, witnesses told a Senate inquiry.

Health and social services advocates were among several witnesses to speak to the Senate inquiry into the Abbott government's Commission of Audit.

The inquiry, which is investigating the scope of the audit and what stakeholders would like to see in its recommendations, heard of the possible effects of the $6 GP fee proposal.