I have written in this space on numerous occasions about the challenge that employers face in providing affordable health care to their employees. Having been responsible for such programs as a former executive in a Fortune 500 company, I can assure you that employers do not embrace their role as providers of such programs. This is especially true in an era of global competition where the annual double digit growth in health care costs is not only the fastest growing cost for companies, but is a distinct  disadvantage when competing with countries whose costs are lower. That means every other country on the planet. (more…)