BOSTON -- Gov. Mitt Romney Wednesday filed legislation to extend health care coverage to a couple hundred thousand of the uninsured in Massachusetts.

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Janet Wu Reports On Plan

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NewsCenter 5's Janet Wu reported that this comes on the same day Senate President Robert Travaglini announced his own plan, which he claims is more comprehensive and realistic.

Romney's plan is aimed at providing cheaper health care coverage for the young and healthy and those working for small employers.

"It levels the playing field for individual proprietorships, sole proprietorships and small businesses," Romney said.

Romney's plan, labeled Commonwealth Care, would allow about 204,000 people out of the current 460,000 uninsured in the state to buy health insurance.

The governor estimates that a family of four could buy coverage for about $500, which is roughly half of what it costs today. The governor said no new taxes would be required, and no employer would be required to buy in.

"We have 20 years of experience in Massachusetts with these kinds of approaches and experience in dozens of states around the country and voluntary at the end of the day doesn't work," Health Care For All spokesman John McDonough said.

"I think it's possible to take a run at it," Harvard Pilgrim Health spokesman Charlie Baker said.

Meanwhile, Travaglini will unveil the details of his own plan Thursday. He offered a private briefing to the major health care players in Massachusetts Wednesday and painted a broad outline to businessmen earlier in the day. He admits his plan will mean spending more state money.

"No responsible person would suggest that we can painlessly fix all of these problems especially at a time when the federal government is plotting to slash Medicaid to the tune of $60 million over the next 10 years," Travaglini said.

No health care lobbyist worth his or her paycheck will criticize either the governor or Senate president's competing health plans. Their stock answer to the question: which one is more palatable, is simple -- they want a compromise.

Unfortunately, finding common ground among the hospitals, health clinics, insurance companies, business sector and taxpayers has never been done.