Seattle Business Associate Publisher Michael Romoser interviews Gary Alton, Managing Partner of The Partners Group Employee Benefits Division, about strategies for remaining competitive by coping with rising health plan costs & attracting-retaining quality employees. Gary discusses three key trends that are achieving significant results with employers in the Northwest including: self-funded employer health plans - why more employers are moving in this direction; pharmacy benefits management programs - why PBMs are getting more & more attention in the media;and wellness programs which have been increasing adoption rates in spite of all the controversy.