Michael Milken's point in "Toward a New American Century" (op-ed, Oct. 7) on the importance of personal responsibility in controlling health-care costs is not just theory, but is supported by results obtained in both corporate and state programs.
Articles in the Journal, "How Safeway Is Cutting Health-Care Costs," by Safeway CEO Steven A. Burd (op-ed, June 12, 2009) and "Hoosiers and Health Savings Accounts," by Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (op-ed, March 1) provide examples of programs in which individual responsibility earns financial rewards for taking care of one's self and which have resulted in savings for both the organization and the participants. Along with healthier employees, Safeway offers lower monthly premiums for employees who are meeting the standards for tobacco usage, weight, blood pressure and cholesterol. The state of Indiana provides employees with an annual account of $2,700 for health care with any money not spent for health care becoming the employee's to use as he sees fit.
Where are the nation's leaders in offering a health-care program that reduces expenses for all and creates a healthier population, but requires individual responsibility?
Joseph Rosen
Lincoln, Mass.
Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D. 