From The Editor

While we all wait to find out what the U.S. Supreme Court decides about the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, Sarasota Memorial Hospital CEO Gwen MacKenzie and other experts are advising businesspeople that we’re already in a new era of healthcare (page 32) and there’s no going back. Most likely, insurance plans—private and government—are not going to pay for all the doctor visits and treatments we’ve taken for granted. One way to adjust to this new reality, which has always been the best way, is by taking care of our own health.

Personal responsibility notwithstanding, the companies we work for can also make a difference if they have good employee wellness programs that require health screenings, encourage healthy behaviors and yes, even penalize us if we don’t get on board. These programs really work, and they save the businesses that have implemented them money. Read “Fit for Business,” to see how three local businesses cut costs and improved employee productivity.