Wynyard GP Jim Berryman said he is concerned about the "Americanisation" of Australian healthcare, and believes people will simply stop seeking primary care because it is unaffordable.

MOST READ: 'We all love him': Greg Green unites building industry amid MND diagnosis

Historically, bulk billing covered the cost of a consultation with a medical professional, and Medicare picked up the tab, but the gulf between the coverage provided by Medicare and the actual cost of a consult has grown in recent years.

"A lot of practices are stopping bulk billing because it just does not give us a decent income and pay the bills," Dr Berryman said.

READ MORE: Attorney General denies 'political appointments' for TASCAT

Federal Tasmanian Labor Senator Anne Urquhart blamed the former Coalition government for "nine years of cuts".

He said that GP clinics are run as private businesses, which are subject to the same pressures as other businesses and households as inflation rises, interest rates increase and the costs of living and doing business become harder to bear.

He said the Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommends clinics charge about $75-80 per standard 20 minute consultation, but that Medicare only refunds $48 of that for people with a concession card, and $39 for people without.

And, he said, a recent federal government decision will give about 44,000 more Australians access to a concession healthcare card, and GPs are expected to pick up the tab for them too.

"They are shifting the cost of seeing a GP onto the GP," he said.

Dr Berryman said that because bulk billing has long been the norm in Australia, many feel "entitled" to it, despite the fact it has been eroded by poor federal policy by successive governments over many years.

And because practices are run as private businesses, and they have the discretion to offer bulk billing or not, it makes the GP look like "the bad guy" if they cannot offer it.

READ MORE: Ski Patrol veterans look back on the 'incredible rewards' of a 60-year institution

"The way we are heading is that the people that need primary healthcare are the ones that won't be able to afford it."

Senator Urquhart said the Albanese government was "cleaning up the mess" of the Coalition.

"The former government froze the Medicare rebate for six years, ripping billions of dollars out of primary care and causing gap fees to skyrocket."

READ MORE: The Interchange: State continues to be launch pad for stars

She said the Albanese government was funding a grants program for GP clinics, and increasing investment in Medicare in the coming years.

Dr Berryman, however, felt there was nothing that addressed the bulk billing issue in the recent budget.

Why not have your say? Write a letter to the editor here:

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: