Pathologists say the cuts will inevitably lead to falls in bulk-billing.

Coffs Harbour and Grafton Pathologist-in-Charge Dr Sobhana Arianayagam said the cuts related to the maximum number of rebatable tests allowed on a single sample which has been reduced from six to five.

She said multiple tests were often ordered for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes and HIV, women with fertility problems and for people doctors suspect may have an infectious disease. ``These are the bread and butter tests that people have to have. Although many tests in pathology are now automated, no amount of automation can replace the highly trained and dedicated staff, both in collection and scientific areas”.

Dr Arianayagam said that for 20 years pathologists had worked co-operatively with governments to cap rebates for tests. But she said the Rudd Government had compromised that spirit of goodwill by cutting the pathology rebates by stealth.

Rebates for sample collection and transportation had also been cut.

Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology CEO Michael Harrison said the cuts would inevitably leave patients out of pocket.

``With the costs of labour and consumables increasing in pathology practices at more than 5 per cent per annum, this reduction in rebates after 20 years of essentially static Medicare fees will have a dramatic effect on practice viability,'' Dr Harrison said.

``It's impossible to imagine that there is an alternative to asking more patients to pay out-of-pocket gap payments.''

SNP has launched a protest via its website, www.snp.com.au. It is encouraging all patients in the community which it has served for over two decades to write to the Federal Government, or to complete an objection form from any of the local SNP collection centres.