Mr. Brennan said that Vanguard offers its 12,000 employees a consumer-driven health plan option, and has for several years. However, no more than 10% of the company's employees have chosen it. “I'd say there's a bit of a reluctance, but it is a start, and I'd like to see more,” he said.
Consumer Reports' Mr. Guest said his organization supports the general idea of “consumer-informed health care,” but added that it is far too early to tell whether strategies like those advocated by the Bush administration will really deliver on their stated promises.