One of the architects of Medicare has called for an increase in the Medicare levy, warning that Australians will not accept any change that restricts access to healthcare to those who can pay for it.

John Deeble, who in 1968 co-authored proposals that formed the basis of the Whitlam government's Medibank and the Hawke government's Medicare, dismissed as a "furphy" suggestions by Health Minister Peter Dutton that Medicare risked becoming unaffordable.

John Deeble: Said health costs would become ''unmanageable'' without change.

In an interview with Fairfax Media to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the scheme, Professor Deeble said: "In a rich country, in an advanced society, anything is sustainable if the society says it is."

Mr Dutton said last month that health costs would become "unmanageable" without change, and this week he said figures showing an escalation in health spending per person underlined the need to cut "waste".