MADISON, Wis. -- New ideas on how to cover every working Wisconsinite with health care are floating in the State Capitol.

The plans come on the heels of Massachusetts passing a bill to require everyone in that state to have health insurance. The idea is modeled after the way some states require all drivers to have auto insurance.

Now some lawmakers in Wisconsin said it's time to adopt a similar plan.

"We've run out of band-aids trying to fix this problem. We're trying to put a band-aid on a hemorrhage and it just doesn't work," said Rep. Terry Musser, a Republican from Black River Falls.

Democrat Sen. Russ Decker said he also feels a new strategy is needed.

"It's a system that's choked with paperwork both on the government side and on the private sector side," Decker said.

Both lawmakers support the Wisconsin Health Care Partnership Plan. It's pushed by unions and local government officials and some businesses, WISC-TV reported.

Employers and employees would share the costs, but every company would have to buy into a huge state-run purchasing pool.

In return, employees would all get the same coverage. The deductibles would be $300 for single employees and $600 for families.

Under the plan, an office visit would cost $15. Co-pays would be $10 for generic drugs and $20 for brand-name drugs.

Employers would have to pay a flat fee, per employee, per month. The group's calculation is $340 right now.

David Newby, president of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, supports the idea.

"We level the playing field and every employer has to pay that monthly fee. You keep everybody on an equal competitive level," said Newby.

A separate idea, called the Wisconsin Health Plan, would mandate companies cover everyone. Employers would still buy it through private insurance.

The bill's author, Rep. Curt Gielow, said on a scale of one to 10, everyone could get coverage equal to a seven. The plan requires a certain level, unlike in Massachusetts.

"Our program is much more comprehensive. It designs a set of benefits for everybody in the state." said Gielow.

Both ideas will likely see opposition from some small businesses who say they can't afford to pay for health insurance. Those pushing these ideas want to start a debate and find an idea that works, WISC-TV reported.

"Innovation always comes from the states and we're going to have to solve this problem and take it up to the federal government," said Gielow.

Both Wisconsin plans have little to no chance of passing late in the legislative session. But, the authors are hoping the candidates will discuss it in the election cycle this fall, then be ready to act next year.