Business Leaders Fight Rising Health Care Costs

Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant addresses Mississippians at the Business of Health Care conference in Jackson.

Two out of every three Mississippi adults are considered obese. As MPB's Carl Gibson reports, high health care costs are a barrier to employer health coverage.

"Take better care of yourself and stop carrying those bowling balls around."

Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical Advisor Thomas Fenter says Mississippi's medical costs would decrease if good health is encouraged.

Heart disease is 80 percent related to lifestyle, and that's being overweight. You think...think about a patient that weighs 200 pounds and oughta weigh 150. That's like carrying around five bowling balls on your shoulders. And so, what does that do to your heart? Its just working extra hard."

Mississippians were challenged to take better care of themselves during an address yesterday by Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant. He says health care will continue to be a money sink until citizens become more health-conscious.

"Employers are getting very aware of that. They understand that an employee with poor health care is going to cost thousands of dollars each year. So companies now in the state of Mississippi are going to be focusing on preventative measures; on getting that employee healthy to reduce their health care cost."

A health incentives program by Bank Plus is getting good results. Bill Lee is CEO of Wellness Plus.

"For U.S. health care costs in the last 5 years, there's been a 34 percent increase. And with our employee group, we've experienced a less than 9 percent increase."

Mississippi usually ranks near the top of the list of the nation's least healthy states.