Yes Gmail ended both EAS support and IMAP Support. They are totally abandoning windows phone. They are also blocking access to the youtube app made by Microsoft.
The only way to get gmail push is via Google Apps as they still support EAS.
Most people in this neck of the woods hate or despise Google for this. I highly suggest moving to Outlook.com, you can import your gmail there.
This is the WIndows Phone section, you should post in WIndows 8 if you have an issue with a Windows 8 app. My outlook mail items push just fine to the stock Win 8 app on all my computers, no need to fetch.