The Georgia Senate jumped into the contentious debate over health insurance on Thursday by approving a measure that would make less-expensive plans available to people without coverage.

The Georgia Health Marketplace Act would create a Web site where consumers and business owners could shop for health insurance plans and compare deductibles, co-payment requirements, benefits and premiums. If consumers find a plan that fits their needs, they can purchase the policy with pre-tax dollars.

The measure also would allow Georgians to set up health savings accounts to pay for their medical expenses.

The act is aimed at the estimated 1.7 million Georgians who lack health insurance.

"We're trying to create a solution for uninsured Georgians so they have options to purchase health insurance," said Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, who has made this issue a legislative priority. "The question is how do we get them access to health care coverage that will meet their needs at a price they can afford."

The measure passed 42-12 and heads to the House for approval.

Several Democrats, however, countered that the bill could put at risk the health of Georgians by not requiring insurance companies to cover certain treatments.

"I'm concerned that we may roll out a product to great fanfare that at its heart is fatally flawed," said Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta).

The Health Marketplace Web site would offer portable health insurance policies to Georgians that could be carried from job to job. Consumers would be able to choose among five different types of policies, which include: traditional health insurance, a plan for business owners with fewer than 50 employees, and PeachCare for Kids, the state's health insurance plan for the children of working-class parents.

Georgians could also choose between two new plans, one that allows consumers to purchase coverage directly from medical providers, or a high-deductible plan that would cover only catastrophic claims for 18- to 25-year-olds.

Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams (R-Lyons) said the measure would give Georgians more choice in their health insurance options. Some health insurance, he argued, is better than a comprehensive plan that people can't afford.

"A person can decide based on price what kind of coverage they want to purchase," Williams said.

Others, however, expressed concern that consumers would choose health plans based solely on cost and then one day discover they lack coverage for unexpected illnesses or accidents. They also stressed the importance of insurance that covers preventive treatments, such as wellness visits and contraception.

Senate Bill 404 would require insurance companies to cover some treatments mandated by state law, such as ovarian and colorectal cancer screenings, diabetes screenings, Pap smears, mammograms and prostate antigen tests.

It also would require all insurance companies that offer catastrophic coverage to provide at least one health insurance policy with all the state's mandated health benefits. The bill does not change any existing group policies.