Healthcare, a Minor Major Problem - btbirkett@gmail.com - Gmail

Healthcare, a Minor Major Problem - btbirkett@gmail.com - Gmail

...There are simpler things we can do, too. My friend Dr. Michael Roizen initiated a program for employees of the Cleveland Clinic and saw significant, if not monster, improvement in health care costs. Essentially, Cleveland Clinic pays workers to adopt healthy lifestyles. Control your blood pressure (meds if needed), don't smoke, exercise, control your weight, reduce your fasting blood sugar and cholesterol, and do something to relieve stress. It cut their costs relative to the national average by 38% and rising.

The program is optional and participating employees received significantly reduced healthcare costs. Those who don’t participate pay the difference on their own. Not surprisingly, the participation rate soared over the last decade, from 12% to now over 75%. (Table only goes to 2019.)

Source: Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic saved almost a billion dollars in 2018 and it’s now over $1.5 billion a year, according to Mike. That is huge for a company with “just” 40,000 employees.

Source: Cleveland Clinic

Other companies are following this example. What if we did something similar nationally?

Remember that $22,000 per person projected Medicare cost in 2033? What if we dropped it 40%? Plus have everyone on any form of government-subsidized insurance adopt the same program? Do some simple things and pay less for your insurance or live an unhealthy lifestyle and pay more.