Washington state is in its second year of offering the nation's first public-option health insurance plan, and many states are paying close attention.

Independent pharmacies are struggling due to the vertical integration among drugstore chains, insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers.

The combined impact of the various measures being considered could save Coloradans between 20% and 40% in out-of-pocket costs.

Democratic legislators say they've made a deal with the health industry to scrap the public option and instead mandate lower premiums.