Statewide Summit Urges Innovative Solutions to Employee Health
AUSTIN – More than 100 business leaders, health care advocates and policy makers joined Governor Rick Perry for a day-long gathering yesterday in Austin dedicated to encouraging the state’s major employers to embrace worksite wellness programs as an effective way to rein in skyrocketing health care costs and improve the health of Texas workers.
The “CEO Summit” was sponsored by the Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness and co-hosted by Paul Carrozza, co-chair of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and president and CEO of the Austin-based running retailer RunTex. Leading worksite wellness innovators shared best practices, including presentations from Kevin Rollins, president and CEO of Dell; Sam Gilliland, chairman and CEO of Sabre Holdings; Rich Bagger, senior vice president of Pfizer; and Mike Redenbaugh, CEO of Bell Helicopter Textron.
“Texas has taken the most aggressive approach in our nation with respect to attracting jobs, industries and overall economic development opportunities, and the Texas Round-Up program has brought fitness to the forefront,” said Governor Perry. “It’s now time to make Texas a leader in the movement toward ensuring workforce health and wellness.”
Summit speakers urged executives to embrace worksite wellness programs designed to promote and improve employee health and quality of life. Presentations are available online at www.TxWorksiteWellness.org.
“Embracing programs that motivate healthy behavior and encourage preventive care can help improve employee health and productivity, while lowering health care costs,” said Marianne Fazen, president and CEO of the Texas Business Group on Health, the Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness’ sponsoring organization.
Dr. Thomas Parry, President of Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI), presented findings from a recent national survey by IBI and CFO Research Services to summit participants. IBI found that 96 percent of chief financial officers surveyed understand that employees in poor health drive higher medical costs, but they also understand that employee health has significant business effects beyond medical expenditures.
“Momentum and support for worksite wellness is increasing among the business community,” said Dr. Paul Handel, vice president and chief medical director for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, a member of the Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness.
According to the Partnership for Prevention, a national organization of CEOs and health advocates, 95 cents of every health care dollar is spent to treat disease rather than prevention.
“By refocusing our health care system on preventing illness, managing chronic conditions and encouraging healthy lifestyles instead of treating people only when they’re sick, businesses can reduce health care costs and improve worker health and productivity,” Dr. Handel said.
“There’s not a one-size fits all program for businesses and government,” Fazen said. “From simple healthy eating options in the cafeteria to on-site preventive screenings or more robust employee benefit programs that emphasize prevention and wellness, targeted investments in employee health and wellness can improve health outcomes, productivity and lower health care costs. It’s the right thing to do.”
Fazen said the coalition will take that message on the road across Texas next year. The group will sponsor a series of regional “Ounce of Prevention Forums” in early 2007. The regional gatherings will equip human resource executives with the tools they need to develop, implement or expand worksite wellness programs at their companies or organizations.
The Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness brings together prominent Texas health care associations, providers and businesses, including the Texas Association of Business, Texas Medical Association, Texas Hospital Association, American Heart Association, United Ways of Texas, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, CIGNA Healthcare, Sabre Holdings, Texas Instruments, Pfizer and others.
A complete list of coalition members, worksite wellness research and tools, and upcoming events is available at www.TxWorksiteWellness.org.