Howard County, Md., officials on Oct. 16 are expected to announce a proposal to provide health care to all uninsured county residents, a move that would put the county "in the forefront of the national debate about the availability of health care," the Baltimore Sun reports. Under the proposal, uninsured county residents would pay a small fee to access primary care, either through a clinic or a participating physician, rather than use emergency departments. Only county residents would be eligible for the program.

The plan would not require employer participation and would not involve Medicare or conflict with a proposed statewide expansion of Medicaid. The plan would combine funds from beneficiaries…