Although most of the details are yet to come, lawmakers this session set in motion a reformation of the health-care system that, if it becomes in reality anywhere close to what is visualized, will bring health care that costs less, has better quality and will give every Utahn insurance.

Whether by fate or by choice, the state can no longer put off a revolution in the health-care system that, if left to its own devices, would account for every dollar in the state economy in about 30 years.

"There was little choice but to make this a landmark year, because without landmark thinking, health care will soon overwhelm the economy," said House Majority Leader David Clark, R-Santa Clara, sponsor of HB133, the legislation that is the catalyst for changes expected to be under way for the next decade.

The goal of the 40-page bill is to let the market — providers, insurance carriers and consumers — share the burden of improvement. Although the changes are long-term, there is a deadline to have the structural changes in place before the federal government changes administrations; in particular, before a new Secretary of Health and Human Services is appointed.

HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt, former Utah governor, has challenged the state to come up with a reformation plan, which he has tacitly endorsed sight unseen. The state can count on whatever steps the federal government could provide to ease the implementation of the reforms as long as he is secretary.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and Clark have promised that the health-care task force must not become a boneyard of good intentions — the locale of previous health-care reform panels.

Not only must the task force meet openly and often to ensure progress is being made, but also the only way to take advantage of the favorable orientation of the federal government is to have real-world proposals ready as soon as possible. Every state in the country is undertaking some kind of health-care reformation plan, and it's going to be first come, first served as far as obtaining federal leeway that will no doubt be necessary, Clark said.

To help in that effort, an Office of Consumer Health Services under the control of the Governor's Office of Economic Development is being empaneled. The office wouldn't regulate health insurers, health insurance plans or health insurance producers, but calls on the private sector to develop individual, affordable policies that never have been available.

The bill also calls for allowing individuals and self-insured business owners who pay for insurance after taxes to receive a tax credit. Lawmakers approved that portion of the bill in separate legislation on Tuesday.

"Health-system reform needs to be done in this state," Huntsman said. "If we do nothing, it would be totally irresponsible on our part, and it would also be economically unsustainable. We now have a very real framework for systemic reform going forward."