Humza Yousaf has insisted the NHS in Scotland will stick to its "founding principles" and will not start charging patients for treatment.
The under-pressure health secretary spoke out after a leaked document revealed senior bosses had debated the creation of a "two-tier system" which could see wealthier Scots asked to pay.
The minutes were compiled from a meeting in September given the "green light" by NHS Scotland chief executive Caroline Lamb to discuss reform of a service which finds itself in crisis.
