Debating the Impact of High-Deductible Health Plans

For a worker in today's environment, the study's findings argue for a reexamination of the approach to health care. Health care is now so expensive for employers that many doubt they will be able to continue providing it many years hence.

So it's in your interest to keep costs down. This doesn't mean skimping on necessary treatment -- that's often counterproductive -- but it does mean working to improve your own health.

Preventive care is usually cheap or even fully covered by insurance, including high-deductible plans, so get that physical exam, those inoculations, mammograms and the like.

If you have a chronic ailment such as diabetes and your company has a case-management program, take advantage of it. Your first thought might be, oh, they're just trying to save money, but since keeping you in better health is the best way to do that, you have a convergence of interests.

It's getting to be a new world out there, with workers shouldering ever more responsibility. But in the case of health care, if more responsibility means you take better care of yourself, perhaps it's not all bad.

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The Bush administration insists that it's not trying to kill the traditional defined benefit pension system, but some of its actions suggest otherwise. Last week, the Department of Energy announced it will no longer reimburse contractors for the expenses associated with traditional pensions. Instead it will reimburse only for costs of 401(k) and similar plans. The change affects only new hires; costs for pensions for existing workers and retirees will continue to be reimbursed, the agency said.

"The new policy recognizes the contributions of current and retired contractor employees and, at the same time, ensures that future costs for pension and medical benefits are more consistent with market trends," the department said.

Sylvester J. Schieber, director of U.S. benefits consulting at Watson Wyatt Worldwide, said, "The fact that a government agency is forcing private employers to provide only do-it-yourself, 401(k)-style plans is outrageous. For decades, public policy has supported the notion that the best way to ensure Americans' retirement security is through guaranteed pensions. We find it curious that a government agency is threatening the retirement security of workers outside their department."