The proposals are not broad-based reform, acknowledged Rep. David Clark, R-Santa Clara, House chair of the Legislature's Health System Reform Task Force.

But the task force's work "hopefully kind of sets the compass . . . for what we hope to do" over the long term, Clark said, emphasizing full reform could take up to a decade.

Bills may be unveiled as soon as December, Clark said.

Among the proposals:

* Lawmakers are trying to clear the way for more affordable insurance products by lifting mandates for certain types of coverage. A proposal called NetCare would be a "mini COBRA" plan to serve as a health care cushion between jobs - or as an individual insurance policy for anyone. NetCare would be 30 percent to 45 percent cheaper than the average large-group premium, depending on the deductible chosen.

* The task force is also moving toward expanding section 125 cafeteria plans, Clark said, allowing employers to contribute a fixed dollar amount for employees' health care costs, rather than paying a portion of their premiums.

* Draft legislation could also call for standardizing how insurance companies enroll clients. Reimbursement to doctors could be changed to reward using the best medical practices and to pay based on episodes of care, rather than piece-meal tests and procedures.

* Companies bidding on state contracts that offer health insurance to their employees could be also given preference if their proposals are otherwise competitive.

Rep. David Litvack, D-Salt Lake City, said the task force is moving in the right direction - but has much more work to do. He hopes to see the group, or some incarnation of it, continue and maintain momentum for reform.

"I think some of the things we've been presented with so far are positive, but only positive as part of a broader array of initiatives and a much more comprehensive effort," he said.

In a conference call Friday, Utah lawmakers and health policy leaders discussed the state's reform efforts and heard from one national policy expert about the health reform implications of the election.

With president-elect Barack Obama's pledge to make health reform a top priority, the federal government may have the opportunity to implement sweeping health care reform, said Ron Pollock, executive director of Families USA.

"I think there is a sea change in attitude about the importance of getting it done and each group's responsibility to cooperate to make it happen," Pollock said.

But Utah lawmakers and health policy experts aren't holding their breath.

"I think Congress does two things really well: absolutely nothing and overreact," Clark said. "So I'm not overly optimistic Congress is going to come up with a very viable answer."

John T. Nielsen, an adviser to Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. on health care, echoed that sentiment: "I think he [Obama] has got his hands so full with the economy right now, health care - while important - has got to in some respects take a back seat."

lrosetta@sltrib.com