House Democrats today are expected to unveil a health care plan that would be an alternative to the Cover All Pennsylvanians proposal developed months ago by Gov. Ed Rendell, but hasn't attracted much support in the Legislature.

Their plan, known as Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care, has some similarities to Cover All Pennsylvanians. Both would build on the state's adultBasic program, adding coverage for behavioral health services and prescription drugs. AdultBasic currently offers physician care, in-patient hospitalization and other health services to low-income uninsured people ages 19 to 64.

Both plans also would extend subsidized coverage to about 80,000 people now on the adultBasic waiting list.

But unlike the governor's plan, the lawmakers' proposal would subsidize coverage for people earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, about $35,200 a year for a three-member family.

The governor's plan calls for subsidies for individuals earning up to 300 percent of the poverty level.

House Democrats were concerned that federal subsidies to help pay for the program might not be as great as Mr. Rendell's administration expected, said Rep. Todd Eachus, the Democratic policy committee chairman.

He said that under their proposal, House Democrats hope to cover about 250,000 eligible Pennsylvania adults.

About 767,000 adults are uninsured in the state, but about 510,000 would be eligible, the Luzerne County Democrat said. Those who would not qualify include people who have not been without health insurance for at least six months, undocumented immigrants and people who are eligible for other health programs such as Medicaid.

Democrats estimate that about 58 percent of eligible people would qualify for subsidies.

Like Mr. Rendell's proposal, small businesses could participate. And adults who did not qualify for subsidies could buy into the program -- about $280 a month under the governor's proposal and $311 under the House plan.

Individuals with incomes of less than 200 percent of the poverty level would pay monthly premiums up to $50, Mr. Eachus said. Employees above that income level would split the cost of premiums with their employers.

To participate in the program, people with incomes over 300 percent of the poverty level would have to show they had trouble obtaining coverage because of cost or a pre-existing medical condition.

Like the governor, House Democrats would fund their proposal in part from contributions from employers and individuals and transfers from existing programs. They also would draw on a $500 million state fund that helps doctors pay their malpractice insurance costs.

Possible sources also include an increase in the cigarette tax and new taxes on cigars and smokeless tobacco, ideas Mr. Rendell has proposed, or surpluses in legislative accounts, said Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Penn Hills.

"We have not decided how to fund it yet," said Mr. DeLuca, chairman of the House Insurance Committee.

The House Democrats' proposal also would:

• Give grants to small employers who already offer health insurance coverage to their low-income workers.

• Offer a health savings account option in the private market based on a model developed by the Department of Insurance.

• Over 10 years, phase out the MCare abatement program, which helps doctors pay for their malpractice insurance costs. The plan also would phase out MCare, a state insurance program that provides doctors with catastrophic coverage for medical malpractice, and retire the program's $2 billion unfunded liability, or cost of future claims.

Doctors in Pennsylvania purchase $500,000 worth of insurance from a primary carrier and another $500,000 worth of coverage from MCare.

In 2003, state lawmakers approved the governor's proposal for the abatement program, a response to concerns that rising malpractice insurance costs could discourage physicians from practicing in Pennsylvania.

Though he worked to establish the abatement program and has been its champion, the governor has declined to approve the abatements until lawmakers agree to fund Cover All Pennsylvanians. If no deal is struck by the end of the month, the unsubsidized bills will be due.

It was not clear yesterday whether the governor would endorse the House proposal or continue the abatement program. He has expressed support for extending the abatements for 10 years -- as long as lawmakers endorse Cover All Pennsylvanians.

"As always, the governor is willing to consider modifications to his plan as long as they represent progress toward the goal," said his spokesman, Chuck Ardo. "We look forward to seeing the specifics of the House plan, reviewing them and engaging in the debate."

Steve Miskin, spokesman for House Republican leader Sam Smith of Punxsutawney, said House Democrats have "chosen to keep their plan a total secret."