Spectrum Health Systems.

• Position: Americans spend $1.4 tn on health care

In 2001, Americans spent $1.4 trillion on health care, more than $5,000 for every man, woman and child. This represents 14.1 percent of our gross domestic product and is expected to reach $1.7 trillion this year. 2002 statistics show that approximately 125 million Americans have at least one chronic condition, representing 78 percent of the total health-care expenditures. The majority of people in this country are insured through an employer-sponsored health plan. These trends are placing a tremendous burden on our economy, employers and individuals.

Today, employers are playing a more active role in leading employees to adopt healthier lifestyles. Integrated health-management programs offer organizations strategies for managing the increase in health-insurance costs while providing employees with the tools needed to better manage their health and make more effective health-care decisions. The result is fewer physician and emergency-room visits, fewer hospitalizations and a reduced need for ongoing medical care.

Spectrum Health Systems, an independent health-management company, has been delivering demand management and...