According to Alan Philp and Peter Roff of Americans for Tax Reform, the seven proposals break down thus:

       The Clinton Plan: The health-care proposal crafted by Hillary Clinton's task force. It was presented to Congress on October 27.

       The Chafee Plan: The Republican Senate substitute that is closest to the Clinton plan.

       McDermott/Wellstone Plan: Also called the "single payer plan." It is complete, European-style, government-run health care.

       The Gramm Plan: A pro free-market approach, also called the "Medisave plan." It provides for health-care IRAs.

       The Michel Plan: The House Republican substitute. It is not a comprehensive plan and does not totally redesign the U.S. health-care system.

       Cooper/Grandy Plan: A bipartisan alternative that is less harsh on American small business than the Clinton plan.

       Nickles/Hatch/Mack Plan: Also known as the "Heritage plan." It offers a cafeteria-style menu of plans and seeks to move insurance out of the workplace.

       While the president's plan packs his endorsement and political clout, the final choice from Capitol Hill may be a different plan or a combination of several proposals. So it is important to judge the seven plans on their merits--what they provide and what they take away.

       INDUSTRY REFORM

       Health-care experts and analysts raise three issues concerning the current health-insurance industry. People who are not employed may purchase their own health insurance, but commonly at much higher prices than can a business. In addition, some chronically ill people cannot even purchase insurance. Whether too sick or too poor, they comprise a large number of uninsured Americans.

       If a person leaves a job, he can purchase insurance from his previous employer, but only for a limited time. In addition, there may be a waiting period for preexisting conditions; sometimes pregnancy may not be covered at all if the pregnancy began during the previous employ.