The Health Minister may soon end months of speculation over the future of Medicare, but it looks like the changes will not be to everyone’s liking.

Federal Health Minister Peter Dutton says the government must address “staggering” increases in health spending with dramatic changes.

He says one key idea under consideration would see a new fee for doctor’s appointments.

There may be a strong push to improve the efficiency and productivity of healthcare staff, possibly through private sector outsourcing.

Mr Dutton says the Australian health system is “riddled with inefficiency and waste”, and that he wants to “start a national conversation about modernising and strengthening Medicare”.

The minister has indicated he may open up more opportunities to private facilities and insurers, which the Opposition says is an attempt to “destroy universal healthcare in Australia,” by pushing prices above what many can afford.

Comparisons with other nations have shown Australia’s per-capita healthcare spend is the eighth highest in the world.

Mr Dutton says he just wants to have the conversation.

The Health Minister told the ABC this week; “I want to make sure that, for argument’s sake, we have a discussion about you or me on reasonable incomes, whether we should expect to pay nothing when we go to see the doctor, when we go to have a blood test – should we expect to pay nothing as a co-contribution and other taxpayers to pick up that bill?”

A co-payment for bulk-billed GP visits is a possibility, according to a submission to be considered by the Commission of Audit, but the minister says it would not be the only solution.

“People pay a co-payment at the moment for their private health insurance... eleven million Australians have private health insurance,” Mr Dutton said.

“People pay as little as $6 for a $17,000 prescription, a single prescription... well, my own view is that people at the moment pay a co-contribution through when they buy their medicines, regardless of their income,” he said.

There has been plenty of outcry at the mere suggestion of changes to the payment structure.

It seems regardless of the shape of the shift people in general will end up paying more.

The Prime Minister has tried to calm the situation by highlighting the fact they have done nothing.

“Nothing is being considered; nothing has been proposed; nothing is planned,” PM Tony Abbott said.

“There’s been talk about simply increasing the Medicare levy to solve the sustainability issue,” Mr Dutton said this week.

“Let me just say here... if we were to increase the Medicare levy to cover the entire cost of the commonwealth’s health budget, it would have to increase to 9.5 per cent. That’s $7,220 per year on an average salary of $77,000.”

“Either way, individuals end up paying for their healthcare – whether it is directly or indirectly through pay as you go or through higher taxes otherwise. To reap the benefits, there’s always a cost, and I think most Australian taxpayers understand this.”

He also asked; “Why should we see the private sector involving itself in public services as a bad thing?”