Morrison rejects co-payment by stealth

Treasurer Scott Morrison has rejected claims from health groups that the removal of bulk-billing incentives for pathology services is a Medicare co-payment by stealth.

"To immediately ... politicise it in those terms is not a helpful way to have a mature debate about the issue," Mr Morrison told ABC radio on Wednesday.

The Royal College of Pathologists Australasia warns the changes could force patients to forgo tests which could delay early diagnosis of cancer and result in premature deaths.