As implementation of the controversial Massachusetts health plan rolls along, many legislators are looking to the Massachusetts plan as a reform model for their own states.

It seems that the most popular piece of the Massachusetts plan is the "health insurance exchange," or "the Connector," which creates a new consumer-driven marketplace where individ­uals and employees of small businesses can pur­chase health care coverage from a variety of competing health insurance plans. 

Although there remains much controversy among the Right about the Massachusetts plan, states are not taking the "wait-and-see" approach while Massachusetts implements its reform plan.  So far, in the 2007 session, nine states have introduced some form of the Connector:

• CALIFORNIA: Assembly Bill 1072
• GEORGIA: Senate Bill 28
• KANSAS: Senate Bill 309 
• MARYLAND: Senate Bill 617; Senate Bill 149; House Bill 132
• MISSOURI: Senate Bill 556; House Bill 818 
• NEW MEXICO: Senate Bill 976 
• SOUTH DAKOTA: House Bill 1169 (Creates "task force" to study the Connector; signed by Governor.)
• VIRGINIA: House Bill 2121 (Tabled for further study; no online link available.)
• WASHINGTON: House Bill 1569; House Bill 2199; Senate Bill 6130