Michel plan

Primary sponsor: Rep. Robert Michel (R) of Illinois with support of most House Republicans.

The Michel plan leaves the current health-insurance system largely intact. Employers must offer their workers at least one health plan, which can be a policy against catastrophic costs with deductibles set at $1,800 or higher per person per year.

Those buying catastrophic policies could open tax-deferred ``Medisave'' accounts to help cover the cost of the deductible.

States would pool the costs of high health-risk persons by setting up reinsurance pools funded by insurers with low-risk clients or dividing high-risk people among health plans. The plan limits insurers' rights to withhold coverage from those with preexisting health problems.