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The article discusses possible solutions to the high cost of medical care and health insurance. Many in corporate America and the federal government believe the solution should start with the uninsured children and work its way up to those who could pay for an affordable insurance. Employers who had been reluctant to have government involvement in medical coverage, are now considering an overhaul of the health care system as prices are out of control.

This article presents a look at primary medical care clinics at business enterprises and offices in the United States. According to the author, the number of offices and factories that have medical clinics is growing in an effort to decrease medical care costs of employees. Companies participating include Toyota, Sprint Nextel, and Florida Power and Light.

The article discusses the specifics of General Motors' (GM) proposed health care buyout. Unionized workers are being offered a buyout payment based on their number of years of service with GM. By accepting the buyout, workers will help the company restructure and possibly avoid a chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The largest portion of GM workers would receive up to $140,000 for giving up health coverage. Workers with fewer years of service would receive less money.

The article observes that thousands of government bodies have promised generous medical benefits to millions of schoolteachers, firefighters and other employees in the U.S. when they retire, yet experts say that none of these governments have kept track of the mounting cost. Off the government balance sheets, those obligations have been soaring as health care costs spiral and the baby-boom generation approaches retirement. The Governmental Accounting Standards Board has issued a new accounting rule. Governments are beginning to do the necessary research to determine current costs and future obligations of their promises to help pay for retirees' health care.

Focuses on General Motors (GM) retirees, in light of GM's tentative agreement with the United Auto Workers to cut retiree health care expenses. Comments of former GM electrician Sam Loggans and other retirees; Views of health policy experts, who contend that GM still appears to be years behind big companies in other industries in addressing runaway health care costs; Attitudes of GM retirees, including grudging acceptance; How retired workers from many other unionized industries are paying a growing share of health costs.

Observes that fewer old-line American companies are able to shoulder 100 percent of workers' health insurance premiums. Comments of Helen Darling, president of the National Business Group on Health; How most employees are paying more each year as health costs soar; Average share of the premium paid by employees in large and medium-size companies; Exceptions to the trend.

The economic slowdown has swelled the ranks of people without health insurance. But now it is also threatening millions of people who have insurance but find that the coverage is too limited or that they cannot afford their own share of medical costs. Many of the 158 million people covered by employer health insurance are struggling to meet medical expenses that are much higher than they used to be -- often because of some combination of higher premiums, less extensive coverage, and bigger out-of-pocket deductibles and co-payments. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Focuses on the prediction of some analysts that the notable prosperity of managed care plans may decline due to Medicare drug coverage in the U.S.

Cites the result of a survey pertaining to the prices of health maintenance organizations/managed care plans in the U.S. Increase in health care costs and health plan profits compared to the pace of consumer inflation; Average increase that employers are seeking from health maintenance organizations.

Reports that health insurance premiums are expected to rise up to 10 percent this year, well below the annual increases of 14 to 18 percent of the last few years but still more than double the overall inflation rate. Impact on employers and their insured workers; Statistics showing changes in premiums and deductibles; Factors putting downward pressure on rate increases; Relationship between cost trends and premium trends.

Reports on the partnership formed by several major employers in the United States to pool their buying power in an attempt to extend health coverage to part-time employees and other workers without insurance. Analysts' assessment of the success of the partnership which includes General Electric, McDonald's and Sears Roebuck; Plan of the employers group to use their buying power to require health insurers in the program to provide them with information on the costs and the medical effectiveness of particular hospitals and doctors.

Reports that employers have unleashed a new wave of cutbacks in company-paid health benefits for retirees, with a growing number of companies saying that retirees can retain coverage only if they bear the full cost themselves. Reasons for the trend, including the fast-rising cost of health care; Impact of the sudden increase in premium on retirees; Benefits of the change including access to a group product that they could not duplicate on their own; Comments from early retirees, some of whom have had to return to work to pay for their insurance.

Discusses how the number of Americans without health insurance is growing, but the extent of the problem varies widely, state by state. View of some policy makers and health care experts that the best way to give health coverage is to give some people less; Ways that basic coverage packages are being tested in several states, including Utah, Oregon and Idaho; Call on consumers and employers to share the burden of extending coverage, rather than relying on the government; Effort to seek a uniform minimum level for health insurance.

Reports on the rising costs of health care and the efforts by companies to shift more of the burden on employees. Number of people without employer-provided health coverage; Blame for reduction in Medicare coverage on soaring drug costs; Arguments for raising prices from insurance companies and health care economists; How the expense of prescription drugs adds to the health care crisis; How different companies are changing their health plan coverage.

Reports that nine U.S. states and the District of Columbia are organizing a joint nonprofit operation to manage their prescription plans. Intent to hold down spending on medicines for state employees and Medicaid beneficiaries; Cuts in Medicaid benefits and eligibility; Deficits that dozens of states are facing; How health care spending is a major part of states' financial problems, and drugs the fastest growing component; Comments of Peter E. Shumlin, chairman of the group that is organizing the benefit plan.

Discusses Medicare reform that could include a prescription drug benefit. Insurance companies and large employers that are pleased with the proposal made by U.S. President George W. Bush; Managed care companies that offered health insurance coverage to those on Medicare; Proposal that could offer retirees that option of traditional Medicare of alternative insurance coverage that would be at the same cost to the U.S. government.

Examines why many large employers in the U.S. are cutting back on health care benefits for retirees or requiring them to pay more for coverage. Impact of surging inflation in medical costs on corporate profits; Increases in employer spending on prescription drugs; Cutbacks by Medicare health maintenance organizations (HMOs); Examples of retiree Margaret Cleary and others; Why many large companies are increasing their forecasts of future health care liabilities.

Focuses on the rising cost of health insurance in fall 2001, according to a survey by benefits consulting firm, Hewitt Associates. Idea that employees of smaller companies will feel the greatest impact as employers stop absorbing much of the cost of higher premiums; Details of expected rate increases; Inability of managed care to contain costs; Examples of health benefit costs at companies like Aerial Crane Company, Analog Devices, and Accent Food Services.

Reports on the announcement by health insurer Aetna of losses in the second quarter of 2001. Increase in medical costs; Analysis of stocks and revenue; How the company will shed some of its money-losing businesses in an effort to cut costs.

Discusses rising medical costs in the United States, as of May, 2001. How hospitals are winning higher payments from insurers; How insurance companies are passing on the increasing costs to employers and consumers; Thought that a number of hospitals are becoming more powerful in their regions through mergers and acquisitions; Reasons for the hospital increases, including rising labor costs for nurses, pharmacists and other workers in short supply.