According to the Gongwer news service($):

Health care providers, insurers, employers, and state officials are inching closer to finalizing ideas for reforming Ohio's health care system, with discussion focusing on creating a public/private partnership to help cover the uninsured.

The 42-member Healthcare Coverage Initiative Advisory Group, which Gov. Ted Strickland appointed last year, met Tuesday to hash out concerns with the so-called "connector model," where the state would generally help subsidize costs for the uninsured to purchase private insurance.

The committee discussed a proposal to create a connector within state government that would determine both eligibility and subsidy amounts for low-income Ohioans. Moreover, it would contract with carriers through a bid process that would include negotiating with insurers on rates.

There is also discussion about imposing a health insurance mandate. Governor Strickland opposed such a mandate during the election, but it's difficult to predict if he'd accept one now.

Given the well-documented troubles with the Massachusetts helath care plan, it's amazing that other states are seeking to go down the same road.