Explore user-pay health-care options, Mar urges

Alberta Tory leadership candidate Gary Mar says while he doesn't want to go down the path of the U.S. health system, user-pay options must be explored in the province.

In a blog posting on his website, Mar says if Albertans are travelling to other provinces to get better treatment, it's a sign the status quo doesn't work.

Mar says there are a lot of options to increase service while staying under the umbrella of a publicly funded system, adding that he will listen to all ideas if he becomes premier.

Once a health minister under former premier Ralph Klein, Mar was following up on comments he made to an Edmonton newspaper.

He said Alberta needs to explore a hybrid model or risk losing business and medical expertise to other jurisdictions.

The Alberta Liberals criticized Mar's remarks, saying a parallel private system would attract the best minds and resources and erode the public component.