The Healthy Americans Act in Congress, sponsored by Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Robert F. Bennett, R-Utah, is a comprehensive reform bill promising private, portable health insurance for all, in part by requiring individuals to buy coverage through state-run "health help agencies."

Although the bill would break the link between employment and health insurance if approved, employers would help cover the cost of healthcare through "shared responsibility payments" calibrated to their size and payroll.