What are the things that really impact year to year health spending?
Speaking as someone working in healthcare, it is cardiovascular disease, smoking, alcohol, diabetes, obesity, blood pressure, cancer, arthritis, stroke, asthma, and Alzheimer's, when you account for direct medical costs plus lost productivity. You will see that a significant chunk of the healthcare spending is basically lifestyle issues caused by eating, drinking, smoking and lack of activity, and this is where the employee wellness programs are trying to move the needle.