The issue of health insurance reform is an important and noble cause, creating a preponderance of discussion and interest among all walks of life. It’s hard to predict what the legislation will be in its final form or even if any measure will eventually become law, but what it proposes could mean drastic changes to the way people receive health care services.

As CEO of Concentra, I have had the opportunity to meet with certain members of Congress in recent weeks to discuss the objectives of health care reform. The administration has two primary objectives for health care reform: extend health insurance to every American and slow the growth in rising health care costs. I believe in the overarching goals of health care reform. Like the current administration, I regard health care as a basic human right that should be available to all U.S. citizens.

An initial version of the health reform bill, titled "America's Affordable Health Choices Act," has been presented to the U.S. House of Representatives for debate. This 1,018-page document addresses coverage, choice, affordability, shared responsibility, controlling costs, prevention and wellness, and investments in our nation's health care workforce.

By their own admission, our elected officials are moving far too quickly on an extremely complex area – health care represents one-sixth of the entire U.S. economy. This pressure to reform a system in just a few months is concerning to me, as it threatens to diminish the quality of the end product. Without thorough and careful oversight, we could end up with reform that leads to larger problems in the future. The message I shared with leaders in Washington is one that speaks to the competitiveness of America in a global economy. We as a nation are not suffering from a health care crisis, but a health crisis. We have an unhealthy population that is at the root of our rising health care costs, and the weight of these costs is quickly eroding our competitiveness in the international marketplace. I and many other leaders feel that employers need to take an active role in the health of their employees. We need to change the culture of America with respect to many unhealthy behaviors. Without such action, the costs of doing business in the U.S. – including poor productivity and ever-growing health care costs – will drive more jobs to other parts of the world in the coming years.

Working with small and large employers across the country, Concentra has become the largest provider of employer health care services. Many of these employers have successfully created a culture of health through the use of incentives that reward healthy behavior and lead others toward better health. The actions taken by these leading employers have made a significant difference in the health of their workforce, and the growth in claim costs has leveled off or diminished. I believe that to curb the health crisis in America, the reform package must make it easier for employers to motivate their employees to make wise choices with respect to diet, exercise, and other behaviors that contribute to the prevention of disease. So far, I am encouraged to see many influential senators agreeing with the importance of these types of programs.

A critical bottom line in health care reform is the need for more individual accountability for harmful behaviors. To effectively improve patient health and lower health care costs, an important part of any coverage plan needs to include a risk weighting concept that aims to reduce the unhealthy behaviors of employees. Although our elected officials seem to appreciate the importance of increased emphasis on wellness and prevention, how this translates into law is an entirely separate matter. Unfortunately, the current version of the health reform bill being discussed by the House does not appear to provide for the type of price flexibility that can help facilitate and influence better health practices among individuals.

Reforming the health care system is a long overdue and enormous task. The time has come to improve the health of America. This change needs to happen with care and precise development that will not limit patients’ ability to get better, and will not cause someone to file for bankruptcy every 30 seconds due to unaffordable medical expenses. Regardless of the shape health care reform takes, Concentra holds an important role in the health care reform agenda. Our practice is centered on primary care physicians, and we have successfully combined multiple aspects of health services to lower costs for employers and improve employees’ access to quality medical care. As I look ahead to the future of the health care industry, I believe Concentra has an even greater opportunity to improve America’s health, one patient at a time.