2009 NHBR Health Care Forum.

On behalf of MVP Health Care and New Hampshire Business Review, we would like to welcome you to the 2009 NHBR Health Care Forum: Cultivating a culture of health and wellness--a prescription with priceless results.

The 2009 NHBR Health Care Forum will bring attention to a topic New Hampshire Business Review has been covering for years--the ever-growing concern among the state s businesspeople about the costs of health care. That is the reason the forum was designed--to provide solutions we can all apply to our workplaces with the prescription, policy and practice of how corporate wellness initiatives can work to control health-care costs.

MVP is extremely pleased to be the presenting sponsor of this timely and appropriate event, given the ongoing challenges faced in an effort to contain rising health-care costs. As a leader in health plan innovation, MVP continues to raise the bar for quality, improved health outcomes and wellness. Our unique position between patient, physician and employer creates an opportunity for us to influence a culture of health.

The 2009 NHBR Health Care Forum will profile three progressive companies making a difference in disease prevention, wellness initiatives and a reduction in overall health-care spending. Despite the national discussion, everyone is likely to agree that a commitment to prevention is the most valuable prescription to improve health. As health-care costs continue to rise, more and more companies are recognizing the need to intervene before people get sick 'The U.S. boasts the best cutting-edge medicine in the world, yet 75 percent of our health-care costs are attributable to chronic, preventable diseases. In all, about 40 percent of premature deaths in the U.S. are caused by lifestyle choices--poor eating, smoking and inactivity." (Time 6/22/09)

Our nationally recognized speakers will address why staying healthy in the first place is the most cost effective approach to health care and long term cost containment. They will speak about programs and incentives used to educate and encourage healthy behaviors and why keeping people healthy is the best investment. It's now understood that soaring health-care costs can be reined in by encouraging, supporting and incentivizing healthier behavior and healthy living.

During the forum you'll hear from our speakers why it's time to come together on this critical issue. You will learn about real-life examples of what's working, and discuss products and tools needed to encourage and reward a culture of health and wellness. You will walk away with a prescription for disease prevention, policies for wellness incentives and an understanding of broad-based practices that can affect health outcomes which that ultimately will reduce healthcare costs for everyone.

Our Keynote Speaker, Gary Hirschberg, Chairman and CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farm, the world's leading organic yogurt producer, will talk about why what food you eat matters. The prescription: changing what you eat is good health philosophy. He will also speak about why he and Dannon and others are making significant investments in wellness initiatives and the new collaboration between the food and health-care industries.

Tom Oksanen, Senior Vice President of Employee Benefits for Fidelity Investments, responsible for the benefit practices of Fidelity's 401000 employees, will address the policy and programs needed for managing benefits in challenging times. He'll talk about some of the progressive programs Fidelity has put in place, recognizing that when healthy behavior is rewarded people start thinking about good health as a personal responsibility and a smart investment.

Peter Hayes, Director of Associate Health & Wellness for Hannaford Brothers Company, will share his expertise gained through 15 years of experience in managing Hannaford's health-care programs. Peter has been in the unique position of not only influencing the benefit programs within Hannaford but has also taken an active role in Hannaford's progressive marketing programs around healthy food choices, in-store nutritionists and new thinking around influencing healthy habits for its own customer base

The 2009 NHBR Health Care Forum will bring attention to a topic we're all concerned about and offer solutions we can all apply to our workplaces with the prescription, policy and practice of how corporate wellness initiatives can work to control health-care costs.

This event is made possible by the generosity of many sponsors. Our sincere thanks to Cold Level Sponsors: Concord Hospital and Northeast Delta Dental; Silver Level Sponsors: Gallagher, Callahan and Gartrell, Granite Croup Benefits LLC and Ocean Bank. We are also thankful for support from general sponsors Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, CGI Employee Benefits Croup, Comcast and Dana-Farber/New Hampshire Oncology-Hematology.

Join MVP Health Care and NHBR on Tuesday, October Oct. 20, to learn how you am cultivate a culture of health and wellness where you work. Visit www.nhbrcom and click on the Health Care Forum logo to register.

2009 NHBR Health Care Forum

Cultivating a culture of health and wellness a prescription with priceless results

Find out what some progressive companies are doing to keep employees healthy and productive while controlling their health-care costs.

The 2009 NHBR Health Care Forum addresses the new collaboration between nutrition, lifetime wellness and its positive impact on health-care cost trends.

Ideal for CEOs, CFOs, Business Owners, Health Benefit Administrators/Managers and Human Resource Professionals

Topics to be discussed:

* How food and nutrition play a critical role in overall health-care costs

* Prevention and wellness initiatives that keep people healthy

* How healthier lifestyles avoid significant risks and cost of preventable illness

* Employee incentives that help develop healthier lifestyles

* Programs and resources to improve care and avoid unnecessary costs

* The ROI answer for helping your employees stay healthy

Lecture includes with Roundtable discussion and Q & A Session

NHBR and MVP Health Care would like to recognize following sponsors who not only helped bring this event to light, but realized the topic's global impact on all of us employed in the Granite State:

Presented by: NHBR & MVP Health Care

Sponsored by: Northeast Delta Dental * Concord Hospital Gallagher Callahan & Gartrell * Granite Group Benefits * Ocean Bank Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield * CGI Employee Benefits Group * Comcast Dana Farber/New Hampshire Oncology-Hematology

Presentation Schedule:

7:30 am    Morning Reception
           Coffee bar, networking and business displays

8: 00 am   Welcome
           Shaman McCarthy, President and Publisher, McLean

8:15 am    Communications Presenting Sponsor
           David Henderson, EVP & Chief Marketing Officer; MVP Health
           Care Overview of the Health Care Forum

8:20 am    Moderator
           Melanie P. Mastanduno, The Dartmouth Institute of Health
           Policy and Clinical Practice

8:30 am    Keynote speaker--The Prescription
           Gary Hirshberg Chairman, President and CE-YO, Stonyfield
           Yogurt Gary will talk about why food choices matter today
           and Stonyfield's commitment to healthy food, overall
           wellness and preventative health. He will also discuss why
           Dannon and others are making significant investments in
           wellness initiatives and the new collaboration between the
           food and health-care industries.

9:15 am    Guest Speaker--The Policy
           Tom Oksanen, Senior Vice President of Employee Benefits,
           Fidelity Investments
           Tom will address policy and programs for managing benefits
           and introduce Fidelity's progressive programs, which
           include employee wellness incentives that help defray
           long-term health care costs.

9:45 am    Guest Speaker--The Practice
           Peter Hayes, Director of Associate Health and Wellness,
           Hannaford Brothers Company
           Peter will focus on health-care costs within a global
           marketplace, addressing the critical role of nutrition and
           food in overall health-care cost management, and
           Hannaford's incentive programs for its employees and
           customers.

10:15 am   Roundtable discussion and Q&A
           Garb Hirshberg, Tom Oksanen and Peter Hayes
           Open forum for audience commentary and questions

Moderated by The Dartmouth Institute, the forum will feature three dynamic and highly regarded speakers who will address cultivating a culture of health and wellness.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Keynote Speaker: Gary Hirshburg

The Prescription:

Gary Hirshberg, Chairman, President and CE-YO of Stonyfield Farm, the world's leading organic yogurt producer.

Since 1983, Gary has overseen Stonyfield's phenomenal growth from a seven-cow organic farming school to its current $330 million in annual sales. Author of "Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and Save the World" and recent film producer of the controversial movie Food, Inc., Gary is known for his casual yet head-on approach when speaking on topics such as sustainability, climate change, and social responsibility.

Gary will talk about why what food you eat matters and Stonyfield's commitment to healthy food and overall wellness as well as their focus on preventative health in general. He will also speak about why he, Dannon and others are making significant investments in wellness initiatives and the new collaboration between the food and health-care industries.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Tom Oksanen

The Policy:

Tom Oksanen is Senior Vice President of Employee Benefits for Fidelity Investments

In this position, Tom is responsible for the strategic planning, design, management and communication of employee benefits and work/life programs for Fidelity's 40,000 employees. Tom serves on the board of directors of the National Business Croup on Health, and is a founding board member of NBGH's Institute for Health Care Costs and Solution. He also serves on the board of directors for the New England Employee Benefits Council, and is a member of the Council on Employee Benefits.

Tom will address the policy and programs needed for managing benefits and costs in challenging times. He'll talk about the progressive programs Fidelity has put in place including incentives to get employees to take personal responsibility for their own health and well-being and how it ties into long-term health-care cost management.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Peter Hayes

The Practice:

Peter Hayes, Hannaford Supermarkets, Director of Associate Health & Wellness for Hannaford Brothers Company

Hannaford Bros. Co. has been successful in this arena by focusing on innovative solutions for patient advocacy and disease management and was recently awarded the Cold designation for health promotion programs by the National Business Croup on Health. Peter was a cofounder of the Maine Health Management Coalition and is currently co-chairman of the Maine Employer Purchasing Collaborative. Recently Peter participated on Governor Baldacci's Health Action Team to advise his administration on health reform that resulted in significant legislation to help address extending affordable coverage to the uninsured residents of Maine.

Peter is in the unique position to practice all of this because of the nature of the Hannaford business and its position in our global society. He'll bring his 15 years of experience in managing Hannaford's health-care program to our discussion and talk about why health-care costs matter in a global market place, how nutrition and food choices are playing a more critical role in overall health-care cost management, and the programs and incentives Hannaford has put in place for its employees and customers.

About The Dartmouth Institute

The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice (TDI) is a dynamic force within Dartmouth College, dedicated to improving health care through education, research, policy reform, leadership improvement, and communication with patients and the public.

TDI was established in 1988 by Dr. John E. "Jack" Wennberg as the Center for the Evaluative Clinical Sciences. In 2007, lack stepped down as Director (he remains active as Director Emeritus) and was succeeded by Dr. lames N. Weinstein, who reorganized and broadened the scope of the Center as The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice.

Dr. Weinstein and his colleagues set forth for following Mission and Vision for TDI:

* To be the preeminent research and educational institution devoted to the ongoing reform of the U.S. health-care system and;

* To achieve a patient-centered, high quality, cost-effective health care system with access and excellence for all.

Current areas of impact include:

The Dartmouth Atlas: The first Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care was published in 1996. Twenty Atlases and a number of special reports have been published to date. The Atlas, which documents variation in cost and quality of care and inefficiencies in the system, has been front and center in the current health reform debate, cited by President Obama and key reform negotiators.

Health Care reform: TDI faculty have been frequently consulted by Congress and the Administration as health reform proposals have been developed. There are at least four sections of the current Senate bills that include provisions crafted with TDI.

Transparency of Information for the Public: Jack Wennberg and Jim Weinstein started the first-in-the-nation Center for Shared Decision-Making to give patients "informed choice" about their treatment decisions. The Spine Center and Comprehensive Breast Program at DHMC have become exemplars of this work and draw visitors from all over the world, who want to replicate the model. Currently, 38 states are working with TDI to integrate shared decision-making (Washington State has put it into law.)

An additional initiative to give the public needed information to make informed choices is the "Drags Fact Box" that TDI faculty members Steve Woloshin and Lisa Schwartz have conceived. This would provide easy-to-understand factual information regarding risks and benefits of prescription drugs on the outside of the box-much like a cereal box carries nutritional information. The FDA has recently come out in favor of this approach and the fact box is included in all three health reform bills.

Leadership and system improvement: Paul Batalden is famous for saying "Every system is designed to get the results it gets." This has become the mantra of health systems improvement, including improvements in quality, efficiency and patient safety. TDI regularly coaches leaders in the need for and ways to remake their systems.

Education; TDI's masters programs are unique in the country, going far beyond the basic MPH curriculum. TDI students--recent undergrads, mid-career professionals and dual-degree students-are taught the basics offered in traditional programs, but are also steeped in what we call "healthy skepticism" about health care and the health-care system. They are taught to sort fact from fiction, reality from hype, the principles of each of our centers, and a new way of thinking about the impact they can and should have.

Research: Groundbreaking research by TDI faculty is regularly published in leading peer-reviewed journals, most commonly New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the Lancet, Spine, Health Affairs, etc.

David Henderson

Executive Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer

Sharron McCarthy

President & Publisher

New Hampshire Business Review