AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine advocates of a single-payer health care system have gone before a legislative committee to press their case.

Monday’s hearing by the Insurance and Financial Services Committee follows last week’s passage of a legislative resolution urging the president and Congress to act.

The hearing also comes one day ahead of another session in front of the same committee on funding for Maine’s Dirigo Health Program.

Bills up for presentation Tuesday would eliminate a controversial savings offset payment that is now determined annually and used to fund Dirigo. To replace the SOP assessment on insurers, the bills would set a fixed levy on paid claims.

A new state advisory council report links high health care costs to chronic illness and inefficient use of care.