(CNN) - As Democrats in Washington work to push health care reform through the Senate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty rolled out a series of new health care initiatives on Tuesday that he plans to introduce during next year's legislative session.

The Republican, who is contemplating a White House bid in 2012, made clear that the proposals are intended to be a "market driven" contrast to President Obama's health care plan currently being debated in Washington...

His new three-pronged plan to reform the state-run health care system is anchored by a proposal to let Minnesotans purchase health insurance plans across state lines. If enacted, Minnesota would become the first state to allow residents to buy health care from out of state. That plan, he said, would foster more private sector competition to help reduce costs.

The second proposal would establish a "tiered provider system" for the state-run programs MinnesotaCare and Minnesota Advantage that would make consumers pay more for clinics that are more costly and less efficient. The third part of the plan would require adults making at least 133 percent of the federal poverty level pay for some of the health care expenses under MinnesotaCare.

Well, well, well, it appears that even Republican leaders like possible 2012 Presidential candidate Gov. Tim Pawlenty, are wanting to mandate Americans to pay, at least partially, for their own health care.  Didn't somebody say that amounted to a tax increase?

I'm curious, what will be the penalty if these Minnesota Americans refuse to pay for their share of health care?  Will they be fined?  Will they be denied care?

As for the tiered system that forces citizens to pay more for their level of coverage -- that too is a tax increase isn't it?  It comes out of your pocket doesn't it?

As for allowing the citizens of Minnesota to cross State lines to buy insurance, that idea is also in the bill that is being worked on in Congress already, so nothing new there.

As for being "market driven", isn't that what we have already and isn't that is what is causing the costs to sky rocket already?

Would somebody mind telling me how this is saving Americans money on their health care costs?  I see nothing that is going to decrease the amount of money they currently pay out, in fact, quite the opposite effect.