A legislative commission that has examined the state’s health-care system for the past seven months released a report this morning it says provides a plan for achieving “universal, or near universal” coverage for all Iowans.

Characterizing it as a “road map” and a “work in progress,” the bipartisan Legislative Commission on Affordable Healthcare Plans for Small Businesses and Families was still meeting this morning to consider approval of its final report to the Legislature and the governor.

“We are giving a pathway and a bridge to the Legislature,” said Sen. Jack Hatch, a Des Moines Democrat who co-chaired the 29-member interim commission with Rep. Ro Foege, a Democrat from Linn County.

The commission, which conducted public meetings throughout the state, was authorized last year by the Legislature to review, analyze and make recommendations on issues related to affordability of health care for Iowans. Approximately 270,000 residents, or about 9 percent of the state’s population, lack health-care coverage.

“To achieve universal health care, all Iowans must have health-care insurance, a medical home, practice preventive medicine, use electronic medical records and implement cost-containment strategies,” the commission wrote in its letter forwarding the report to Gov. Chet Culver and the legislative leadership. Six work groups made a total of 79 recommendations in the report.

Rep. Clarence Hoffman was among the legislative members of the commission who expressed concerns about the report, saying, “I don’t know what we’re accepting here.” Hatch noted that the report does not have any legislation attached to it, and that it will be up to legislators to draft their own bills to implement its recommendations. The cost of implementing the recommendations is being estimated through a contract with the Lewin Group, a health-care consulting firm.