Pete Hoekstra: “And wellness is just--a wellness program is just one element of innovation in health care that is in many ways sweeping…”

“And wellness is just--a wellness program is just one element of innovation in health care that is in many ways sweeping the country. Has it gotten and solved all the problems? No. But is it on the right track, and is there more hope for getting the health care problem, crisis, whatever my colleague wants to call it, under control by setting a broader government framework in a direction by changing malpractice, by changing the tax laws and those types of things, or by Government mandating programs, mandating benefits? And remember now for wellness programs I do not think we will be successful in committee. Mr. Speaker, it will be very interesting to see exactly what the response is in our subcommittee. Will our subcommittee recognize the success that wellness programs have had around the country, or will they say, ``No, that type of innovation does not fit within our plan; I'm sorry it's not part of it. We can't deal with it.'' My expectation is disappointing to say because, as my colleague knows, it is not only Prince Corporation. Steel Case Corporation in Grand Rapids just outside of my district just completed a major study with the University of Michigan. I think it was a 2-to-4-year tracking study of how to get health care costs under control. It was not by mandating benefits and mandating behavior. It was by changing behavior, getting people to focus on their own health, getting people to be conscious of health care.”