Scott Ideson, president of Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah, said he still has questions about some technical aspects of the bill but added he is "very encouraged by where we are today. I am cautiously optimistic about our ability to move this forward." He said 2008 "has to be a year to establish a foundation for change."

Dr. Richard Sperry, associate vice president for health sciences at the University of Utah, noted the "energy" from stakeholders and said he wants to see the bill passed "before that head of steam is dissipated."

About 300,000 Utahns — 16 percent of the population — do not have health insurance. The majority of the state's uninsured residents work. Many have lost their health insurance when companies cut coverage, which burdens the government system, according to AARP of Utah.

"We believe (health care) is a joint responsibility of private and public partnerships," Rob Ense, AARP Utah state director, told the Deseret Morning News' editorial board on Tuesday. "It's also personal responsibility."

AARP Utah will oppose mandates for Utahns to purchase unaffordable health insurance. The organization also will oppose measures requiring that Utahns have heath insurance before starting a new job.

"We want to change the paradigm of the emergency room as the primary source of health care," said Laura Polacheck, associate state director of AARP Utah.

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Contributing: Laura Hancock

E-mail: bwallace@desnews.com