Shorten to join nurses' rally for Medicare

Opposition leader Bill Shorten is expected to join nurses and midwives in a Sydney rally against Medicare cuts.

The NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association will march from Town Hall to Belmore Park in the CBD to protest changes to Australia's healthcare system.

Mr Shorten is expected to join them and address the crowd on Saturday afternoon.

The association has been campaigning against the federal government's plan to cut $650 million from funding for pathology tests and diagnostic imaging services.

"The cuts will affect some of the most vulnerable and disenfranchised in our community, putting a cost barrier in the way of those who need access to these services the most," said Judith Kiejda, acting general secretary of the association.