Bill Bennett: “the record is very clear that when people spend time taking care of themselves, their health care costs go down…”

“the record is very clear that when people spend time taking care of themselves, their health care costs go down dramatically. We had examples presented to us from companies that have done that; that is, companies that have been very aggressive in trying to make sure their employees stay healthy rather than simply pay for what happens when they get sick. The CEO of General Mills was with Senator Wyden and me at the press conference this week in which he talked about the things they have done in their company. They have held their health care cost increases to the level of inflation. We would all be thrilled with that because health care costs have been going up in double digits for years now. People respond to incentives, and if there are incentives for parents, incentives for employees to stay healthy rather than simply waiting for the ultimate bill to come along, we will make a significant difference. If I can be personal for one quick moment, I once worked for Howard Hughes. In the Hughes organization in the 1960s and 1970s, we had absolutely total health care coverage.”