Fed: Howard planning to destroy Medicare - Crean

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Fed: Howard planning to destroy Medicare - Crean

Opposition Leader SIMON CREAN says the government's deliberate eroding of Medicareis forcing families to pay more for health care, and putting an intolerable strain onpublic hospitals.

Mr CREAN says Labor will fight to protect Medicare and restore bulk-billing, and won'tallow Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD to overturn the universality of Medicare.

Mr CREAN, who's visiting the Tasmanian city of Launceston, says a family there withtwo sick children could face costs of about $74 for a doctor's visit, before they payfor medicines.

AAP RTV dep/dl/rt

KEYWORD: MEDICARE CREAN (CANBERRA)