Health, home most important things

For Barbara Sullivan, health care funding is not just an election issue, it's about her daily existence.

The cancer sufferer attends St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne for treatment and firmly believes average Australians worry about public education, public health and putting a roof over their heads.

And that's exactly what she told Opposition Leader Bill Shorten as he toured the cancer ward in Melbourne on Wednesday.

"I've always said education, health and putting a roof over my head are the most important things," Ms Sullivan told Mr Shorten.

As he met patients in the hospital's day unit, Mr Shorten spoke about the need for the federal government to support the health system instead of cutting funding.