Maryland officials have released a blueprint for implementing President Obama's health care reform, while congressional Republicans weigh a push for repeal of the contested legislation.

The report by the Health Care Reform Coordinating Council — comprised of various state officials, including Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and outgoing Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary John Colmers — says roughly half of Maryland's 700,000 uninsured residents will gain coverage under the new federal health care law.

Among the recommendations: create an independent public entity to review the exchange where residents will buy private insurance, develop a centralized education strategy, improve care for the remaining uninsured, enhance coordination of mental health and medical coverage and maintain employer-offered insurance.

The report concludes that the law will save the state nearly $830 million over the next decade.