City of Columbus wellness program leads to health cost savings

City of Columbus officials are crediting a new emphasis on wellness and prevention programs with reducing city's health care costs (Source: “Programs help city cut health costs,” Columbus Dispatch, Sept. 2, 2008).

Last year the city’s health care cost rose just a little more than 5 percent, compared to the national average of 6.7 percent estimated by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. City officials say that difference from the national average meant a savings of about $1.8 million.