Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle outlined brief details on two health care proposals last week.

The "Georgia Health Marketplace" appears to be an effort at a more market-oriented connector or exchange. Small businesses could purchase insurance through the marketplace, but the options would include "any plan that meets the current standards for sale in our state." It also would include the ability for individuals to buy medical services directly from physicians or hospitals, although the details on how this would avoid being classified as an insurance product have not been disclosed.

It also is unclear how the plan will provide portability and if it will allow employee premium contributions to be excluded from income and payroll taxes.

The "Safety Net Program" would redirect existing indigent care dollars to encourage cooperation among providers to establish clinics for individuals under 300% of the poverty level. The plan would also use tax credits as incentives for doctors to participate in these clinics, as well as existing free and faith-based clinics throughout the state.