Wellness Program Cures Rising Health-Care Costs

摘要

A large heavy civil and industrial contractor in Maine is working hard to become the healthiest company in America. Besides helping employees and dependents become healthier, its wellness program has reduced the open shop firm's burgeoning health-care costs. Pittsfield-based Cianbro Corp., a 2,000-member employee-owned firm, earns over $300 million in annual revenue and pays 80% of employees' health costs. Its health-care costs were projected to reach $20 million by 2004, a huge boost over the $11.5 million it paid in 2001. "We asked, 'Where is the $20 million going to come from?'" says Peter G. Vigue, Cianbro president and CEO. "Most firms would look to shift costs to employees or reduce benefits. We found that unattractive. Plus, we have a moral responsibility to our employees so we took a different path."