Increasing demand for health care is a primary indication of the system's problems, according to Burdick, but other factors are involved. For example, he noted that many health decisions are influenced by advertising. "People show up at a doctor's office with a handful of ads," he said, "asking which advertised drug they should take." Three years ago, he noted, the money spent advertising the arthritis drug Vioxx was larger than Nike's entire advertising budget.

Burdick reviewed several key reasons why Americans are in a health care crisis, including the following:

• The United States health care system is really no system at all. For-profit and nonprofit hospitals across the street from each other often purchase the same expensive equipment.
• American patients are over-treated, under-treated and mistreated at an alarming rate. Many are treated by multiple physicians, resulting in the prescription of multiple medications.
• Our population is growing older. As one's age increases, so too does the need for medical treatment.
• Americans are less healthy today due to poor lifestyle choices related to nutrition and exercise. We are less healthy than at any time in the country's history. Obesity is an epidemic, especially among young people.

After discussing several broad, systemic solutions, Burdick noted that for many Americans, the key to better health involves simple solutions: eat less, exercise more and stop poor health habits, such as smoking.

Ken Burdick, West Region CEO for United Healthcare, has 24 years of experience in the health care field. Burdick also has responsibilities as President Public Sector.

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