Fred Smith proposes a "free-market" solution to health care.

At a campaign stop in October, the Republican gubernatorial candidate argued that "universal health care by the government" is not the answer, according to the Goldsboro News-Argus.

Democratic candidate Richard Moore has called for increasing coverage for uninsured poor children, while Beverly Perdue has called for coverage for uninsured poor children and a phase-in of coverage of their parents.

"But I do think we need to be diligent about providing accessible and affordable health care," Smith said. "The government can make the program, but it's up to the businesses to take it."

Smith also argued that medical liability laws needed to be reformed and medical information technology needed improvement so that consumers can take a more active role in their own health care choices.

"We need to have the free market to solve this," Smith said. "When the American consumer can shop and have all the facts, quality goes up and costs go down."

Previously: Smith's four-part health care plan.