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A different kind of health care debate is emerging in the states. Instead of fostering the familiar rounds of government and business butting heads over how much health care employers must provide-and pay for-some legislatures are trying to shift the burden to the employee.
In a trend that mirrors proposals from the Bush administration at the national level, many states are considering applying the "ownership society" concept to health care. They are weighing laws that would require workers to obtain health care coverage, just like drivers must have auto insurance.
A variety of proposals have surfaced in California and other states, which are not satisfied to wait for the federal government to take the lead in solving the health care funding crisis. Under one California proposal, individuals would be responsible for obtaining coverage from their employers or other sources, with the state government subsidizing coverage for those who cannot afford to purchase it.
A different-and more radical-California bill would create a single-payer program in which the state government would take over the entire health care system....