And the comprehensive benefits, he said, were necessary, particularly for workers who spent many years laboring in conditions that can be miserable.

Numerous studies have shown that a publicly administered, single insurance system would not only cover everyone but also provide comprehensive benefits.

And the plan would not offer comprehensive benefits to its members who are the most sick, either.

Other states will choose comprehensive benefits restricted to the uninsured.

Likewise, he said, states could cover more people if they provided less comprehensive benefits.

Our comprehensive benefits are among the most generous in the federal government.

"The only line in the sand is that when this is over every American should have a health care security card and comprehensive benefits."

The system must, however, offer a common set of comprehensive benefits.

But governors said that if the program was expanded to cover people with higher incomes, there would be less need to provide such comprehensive benefits.

They are also asking for more comprehensive benefits, similar to those provided under Medicaid.