NEW YORK - Commonwealth Fund researchers have created a plan that would insure 44 million of the estimated 48 million uninsured Americans in 2008 and save approximately $1.6 trillion over the next 10 years.

In a recent article published in Health Affairs, researchers say the plan would offer new health insurance choices to individuals and small businesses for 30 percent less than what employers currently pay.

The plan is expected to cause minimal disruption for people satisfied with their current coverage, researchers said, and any decisions to switch to the new coverage would be voluntary.

Reports indicate financial savings would only be possible if coupled with efforts to reform how the United States pays for healthcare, investment in better information systems and the adoption of initiatives to improve public health.

"This approach builds on group insurance coverage and the national reach of Medicare and at the same time addresses the high administrative and premium costs for individuals and small groups," said Commonwealth Fund President Karen Davis, who co-authored the article. "It also demonstrates that it is possible to buy more for our healthcare dollars, cover all Americans with high quality insurance and institute real reforms to stem rising healthcare costs, saving $1.6 trillion over 10 years."