So it is a little surprising that as soon as March of 2011, and again last week, he is actively discouraging other states from looking at a defined contribution approach for small businesses as a conservative option to solving state insurance market issues.

FORBES: Why Utah's Health Exchange is a Free-Market Model

First of all, it is important to understand that starting up a truly open, defined contribution market for small businesses is a fairly complicated enterprise that warrants a cautious approach.

FORBES: Why Utah's Health Exchange is a Free-Market Model

The Council firmly believes that implementing a defined contribution system, with strong regulatory protections for patients, is a responsible and feasible approach to strengthening the Medicare program.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down

Defined contribution may not be a panacea for America's spiralling health costs, but the new approach could be a useful step towards transferring more of the burden away from hard-pressed employers.

ECONOMIST: Corporate health plans

That approach will be hopelessly inadequate for those who want to build a decent pension, especially in defined-contribution, or money-purchase, schemes, where the employee bears all the investment risk.

ECONOMIST: Investors may draw the wrong lesson from history