PLANS for a $7 co-payment for people to see the doctor are in chaos after Treasurer Joe Hockey and Health Minister Peter Dutton rebelled against efforts by the Prime Minister’s office to kill off the policy.

The Government now seems likely to pursue a change by regulation, which could still cost most people $5 to visit the doctor.

The Herald Sun has been told Mr Hockey and Mr Dutton, on seeing media reports that the co-payment was one of the political “barnacles” Tony Abbott intended to knock off by Christmas, rang him to express anger the decision had not gone to Cabinet.

The ministers were then told the policy would remain, but that the pragmatic reality was that no legislation would be introduced this year as it would not pass the Senate.

They then publicly said they would pursue the co-payment.

A regulation, or some other change not requiring legislative amendment, would likely see the Medicare rebate paid to regular patients who visit the GP reduced by $5, from $37 to $32, creating a political headache about how bulk-billing doctors would charge patients.

A senior source described the ministers’ action as drawing a “line in the sand”. “People are sick of decisions being made by senior people in the PMO without reference to Cabinet,’’ one source said.

Another said the Treasurer had been visibly furious.

Mr Hockey said yesterday the policy remained, though he would not say whether it would be achieved by regulation. Asked whether they were still pursuing it in the Senate, he replied: “We are.

“It is absolutely essential that we strengthen Medicare and ensure it is sustainable.’’

Mr Dutton warned that Medicare would not survive long-term without changes.

“We have put forward a plan which protects the most vulnerable. We will always protect those people,’’ he said.

“But at the core of this policy is to ask for a modest co-payment for those Australians who can afford to do so.”

Opposition health spokeswoman Catherine King said the Government could change the regulations on the last sitting day of Parliament next week, meaning it would not be until February before the Senate could meet to disallow it.

ellen.whinnett@news.com.au