OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott says a coalition government would like to reverse funding cuts to Victoria's health system.

But he can't make a commitment until it knows what fiscal position it will inherit.

The Victorian and federal governments have been involved in a funding stoush that has forced hospital bed closures and elective surgery cancellations around the state.

Mr Abbott said the stoush was a disaster for Victoria's public health system.

"It's a disaster that will tragically be in place before there can be a change of government," he told Fairfax Radio today.

Mr Abbott said the coalition would like to reverse the cuts if it was elected but that would depend on fiscal circumstances.

"Until we've seen the final budget figures it's difficult to give a commitment," he said.

"My firm intention, whenever we are looking for savings, is to look for savings in the bureaucracy rather than to inflict savings on frontline services.

"I'd be surprised if we couldn't do just as good a job with fewer public servants in Canberra."

Victorian Health Minister David Davis has accused the federal government of using an incorrect estimate of Victorian population figures to cut $475 million from the state's health budget over four years.

But Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek says commonwealth funding to Victoria is increasing by $900 million over the next four years and Victoria has taken more than $600 million out of its health system.