Former Que. minister calls for health reform

Former Quebec Cabinet Minister Franois Legault says he wants to reduce bureaucracy in the health system and provide a family doctorfor every person in the province.

Legault's centre-right group unveiled its proposals for health reform Tuesday.

Amongits plans are the elimination of regional health boards in order to decentralize the system and save money.

Legault also said there should be enough physicians in Quebec toend the family doctor shortage, and he says changes to factors such as workload and increased financial incentives would allow that to happen.

"It's time for action before the foundations of our public and universal system irrevocably crumble," a summary of the group's position paper on healthcare says.

The group also suggests implementing several measures to control drug costs in the province.

No ADQ merger

Legault also rejected the idea of a merger with the ADQ to create a new right-of-centre party in the province, dismissing rumours that had arisen over the past few days.

"Concerning the ADQ, I want to be clear: our group is a non-partisan one, it will never merge with a political party. Our plans are to publish four papers, to tour the province, and to submit a plan of action. After that, our group will disappear," said Legault.

ADQ leader Grard Deltell has also denied merger suggestions.