Take note that the cost savings in Utah in the first 1-2 years would include about $3.5 million from Medicare and Medicaid and $6 million from private costs. The article and report make it sound like by investing in these community programs YOU would save millions of dollars because government wouldn't have to spend as much on health care, whereas if the government didn't fund these programs in the first place, not only would health care costs likely be much lower for everybody, but YOU would also not be paying any of the $3.5 million unless it were for your private expense. The goal shouldn't be only to minimize government expenditure on health care but also to stop funding programs that shouldn't be operating in the first place.

It's a great idea to make communities that encourage better health, but it would be even better if people accepted more personal responsibility for their health. We need to choose individually to stop smoking, drinking (alcohol and gallons of soda), and greasy, fatty foods. Let's all exercise our bodies and a little self-restraint.