Employers have tried everything else and they're still seeing double-digit increases.

Our costliest health care problems -- in both economic and human measures -- are related to chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. We know that many of the lifestyle choices we make every day can prevent or delay the onset of these diseases. Employers are learning that the more they help employees determine their health risks and the more opportunities they provide employees to make better choices, the greater the rewards -- a healthier, more productive workplace.

These efforts are positive steps to promoting healthier lifestyle choices for Americans. It is extremely appropriate that President Bush launched this initiative in a workplace setting. More and more employers have made the connection between better health and lower health care costs, and are taking positive steps to enhance employee wellness programs.

We applaud President Bush and his commitment to greater consumer health care empowerment. The evidence is mounting to show that informed consumers who control their own health care spending are also more likely to make better personal health care choices.

The carrot on the stick works well. The employer is avoiding the train wreck when these people are out of control.

I had played in a tournament with the captain of the University of Minnesota's golf team, and he thought I was good. He called his coach, and the coach called me and recruited me. A five-minute phone call changed my life.