Nebraska legislators will soon examine two proposals for the Nebraska Health Benefit Exchange Act, The Associated Press reports.

State Senators Rich Pahls and Jeremy Nordquist have each introduced a bill, while some of the nation's lawmakers seem to be waiting to see what happens in the upcoming Supreme Court case involving the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Nordquist noted that the healthcare exchange is a first for the state, which will be setting up a process for the sale of a private product, and stated that starting sooner will allow lawmakers more time to cover unfamiliar ground. He indicated the two bills are fairly similar, leaving many factors undefined since much discussion and planning remain to be done.

According to the source, each bill focuses on increasing access to affordable healthcare and reducing the number of uninsured residents in the state, as well as helping small businesses secure coverage for their employees. Proponents of healthcare exchanges have indicated that more widespread coverage should decrease the cost of health insurance benefits for each individual.

According to Pahls, Nebraska would benefit from having a complete insurance plan in place before the summer, but it is also important to allow insurers, consumers, employers and other parties to have input on the state's direction.