Nearly a dozen states have explored or are exploring the concept of a state-based public option or are actively pursuing some version of this approach through legislation. Driven by state-specific policy goals and coverage and by insurance market dynamics, these initiatives are diverse—including private-public partnerships with existing insurance carriers, allowing residents to buy in to an existing government program such as Medicaid or the state employee health plan, and other arrangements.

In “State Public Options: Comparing Models from Across the Country,” a new issue brief prepared on behalf of the California Health Care Foundation, Manatt Health partner Cindy Mann, managing director Joel S. Ario, manager Kyla M. Ellis and consultant Virginia E. Morgan outline some of the problems states are seeking to address with their public option proposals. The authors also report the proposals’ current status, categorize the public option proposals into archetypes and identify important issues for California policymakers to consider as they explore the use of a state-based public option. Specifically, the brief focuses on the experiences of Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington.

To access the full issue brief, click here.