States Are Focusing on Wellness Plans

June 10 , 2008

Between them, California and Michigan represent about one-sixth of the population of the United States, so when something new originates from both states, it could very well signal a trend for the other 48 states.

The something new is an increased focus on wellness programs as a way to curb the costs of health care. A few years ago, Michigan passed two laws designed “to promote the availability of health behavior wellness, maintenance, and improvement programs.” Michigan’s legislature is at it again with a bill that would mandate preferential treatment by the Department of Management and Budget in awarding contracts. The bill defines wellness as "a health promotion program offered by an employer to his or her employees." As of this writing, the bill is currently in committee.

Several thousand miles away in California, Assembly Bill 2360 takes a similar approach to incite employers to take wellness seriously. AB 2360 goes further than its Michigan counterpart. All employers with 10 or more employees bidding on state contracts worth more than $1 million would have to certify that they provide fitness and wellness benefits for their employees. Wellness programs have bipartisan support in California so do not be surprised if there is some wellness mandate in the Sunshine State by the end of the year.

State governments are becoming more aware of a basic principle in the health care industry: wellness works. More employers are focusing time and attention on helping their employees reduce the demand side of the health care equation. Infinisource now has a whole slate of wellness products to offer even the smallest of employers. Simply go to our website – www.infinisource.net – or contact your Infinisource Regional Sales Manager for more information.