• Phase in a requirement that people have health care coverage either through private insurance, enrollment in a taxpayer-subsidized program or by showing they have the financial resources to cover their health care expenses. Some New Mexicans, mainly those with income sufficient to afford insurance, would need to start showing proof of coverage starting in 2010, such as when they renew a driver's license.

• Require employers with six or more workers to contribute to a state-run fund that will help pay for covering the uninsured or offer health insurance to their workers even if the business doesn't pay any of the costs. Richardson signed an executive order on Thursday to start phasing in the coverage mandate on state contractors in mid-2008.

• Establish a new state agency, the New Mexico Health Care Coverage Authority, to administer most of the health care mandates and make many of the decisions about benefits and who will qualify for state subsidized coverage.

• Transition to electronic claims and records, which the governor said would improve quality of care, help control costs and reduce errors. Richardson said the plan would include safeguards for patients' right to privacy.