AMA WA agrees to oppose co-payment

The West Australian president of the Australian Medical Association has changed his mind on the federal government's modified GP co-payment scheme after speaking to members.

Michael Gannon last week called for politicians to support the policy to charge patients an optional $5 co-payment that would be determined by doctors - putting him at odds with the national office.

But after speaking to GPs this week, Dr Gannon said he now believed the policy would have a major negative effect on the provision of health services in Australia.

"I do not believe the government's budget emergency to be a lie or an exaggeration," Dr Gannon said in a statement on Friday.

"I believe that those who have the means to pay will need to make a greater contribution to protect our universal health care.

"But I also believe that if savings are to be found in health, these should be across the board and not impact general practice in isolation."

Dr Gannon said the AMA would lobby the Senate to disallow the regulations.